The NBA’s Top 16 Players of the ‘26 Season
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Despite missing time from an abdominal injury, SGA has been the offensive powerhouse we’ve expected him to be after his reign as the scoring leader, MVP, and finals MVP last season. Averaging nearly 32 points per game and second in ppg on remarkable shooting splits, SGA is quite literally the entire Thunder offense, with a 20 point swing for the offense when he’s off the court. While playing hustle defense and averaging over 2 stocks a game, he holds his own on this side of the floor while making an average offense look historic on the other end. The Thunder aren’t the first to 50 wins this season for no reason.
Nikola Jokic
While this list removed anybody who won’t be eligible for rewards this season due to the 65 games played baseline, Jokic still can miss one game before being removed from eligibility. Jokic is first in rebounds and assists, one of the only players to ever do so in a season if he does not miss another two games. Averaging nearly 30, Jokic is the overall absolute engine for NBA offense. Even though his 57% shooting is not impressive for a center, Jokic is not your typical center. He’s shooting nearly 40% from 3 on almost 5 attempts per game, showing he can score from anywhere on the court. He would be number 1, but his lack of effort is a clear issue. One of the best passers in the league, since returning from his injury has had a lot of games with an absurd amount of turnovers, and has dropped 9 TO in multiple games. The Nuggets are still winning, but they are not climbing, and while his numbers look good, he is missing lazy layups, making bad desicions, and giving up a lot of points on defense. The latter was always an issue overlooked by his offensive prowess, but since his lackluster PRA filled games, how much longer can he afford to show little care?
Cade Cunningham
Cunningham has finally emerged as Detriot’s guy after a spell of misfortune on the franchise. The 6’ 6” combo guard can truly do it all: Shoot, drive, finish, handle the ball, pass, rebound, defend, you name it. Putting up nearly 23 points and 10 assists, he is leading the Pistons to the #1 seed in the East and #2 in the league. His ability to control the game tempo and get his teammates open looks while holding more than his own on defense is a recipe for success in a young player. His efficiency and turnover issues cause problems, but he does not make many mistakes in the clutch and should grow out of these as he gets older.
Victor Wembanyama
The real unicorn. Victory Wembanyama is one of the craziest, most unique players we have ever seen. Averaging almost 24 points and shooting almost 35% from 3 on 5 attemps sounds pretty meh in the modern NBA, until you learn that he just turned 22 and is 7 foot 4 inches tall. That’s right, he can touch the rim without jumping, still has to call his mom every week, and he is already one of the better scorers in the league from everywhere on the court. Not only that, but he is a defensive beast, and with one of the best defensive on/off swings in the league, he averages almost 3 blocks per game, AND he is leading his team to a top 3 record in the league. Wembanyama is scarily quick turning to the image we expected of him come draft night.
Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic remains one of the league's most unstoppable offensive players, and with his absurd shotmaking ability and crazy passing strength he will stay that way for his entire career. Even though he is one of the best offensive players we’ve watched, it is hard to deny his flaws after being in the league for a veteran amount of time. Lack of effort, turnover issues, and efficency have continute to knock him down a few notches. He takes 10 threes a game but is not exactly a perfect shooter at around 35%, and a lot of his attempts are self created stagnant isolation plays, and it kills momentum often. He also has bad turnover issues, and while the Lakers are not the most competent squad in the league, his AST to TO ratio of 2:1 is not top 3 material, and he leads the league in TO per game. Despite all this, you cannot deny his ability to score and when he’s on, he is ON and there is no off switch. Except for Jaylen Brown.
Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell has sneakily become one of the more underrated players in the league. When we talk about the best players, we talk about Jokic, SGA, Curry, Ant, etc but when you really look into it, Mitchell is right there with them. He has led Cleveland’s offense with 28 points per game, shooting 48/47 on 9.4 3 point attempts. His size makes him a solid defender at the position, and the Cavs have a significantly better record when he gets 30 points. It seems when he is unlocked, they win, and when he’s locked up, they lose. The most important factor though, is how much of his scoring is isolation of self created. The Cavs do not have a great facilitator, and Garland typically disappointed during his tenure. There is no denying how important he is to this team, and now that he finally has some help at the creator position with Harden, he may be able to show us what he can truly do.
Jaylen Brown
As he said himself Jaylen Brown remains one of the “best two way players in basketball.” Averaging around 25 points, 6 rebounds, and strong perimeter defense, Brown provides elite athletic scoring while consistently guarding the opposing team’s best player. His ability to attack the rim and finish through contact makes him a nightmare in transition and a reliable half-court scorer. Brown’s biggest growth has come in his playmaking and ball security with Tatum missing 60 games this season, but those areas are still where he can struggle. His handle can occasionally get loose under pressure and his decision making as a passer can be inconsistent. Still, his physical tools, defensive ability, and scoring efficiency make him one of the league’s most valuable wings.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant continues to defy father time. Averaging roughly 27 points per game on near 50/40/90 efficiency, Durant is still arguably the most unguardable scorer in basketball. His length and shooting ability allow him to score over any defender, whether it’s in isolation, the mid-range, or from deep. What makes Durant so valuable is that his scoring comes with very little wasted motion or bad shot selection. However, the biggest concern with Durant at this stage of his career is durability and team dependency. He still carries a massive offensive load, and when his teams struggle offensively it’s often because too much responsibility falls on him. Another looming issue is how he connects with his team, because the burner twitter is no secret anymore. Even if he is right about poor play from his teammates, creating a tear in team chemistry can be detrimental to a team trying to win out. Even so, when he’s on the floor, Durant remains one of the most efficient and dangerous scorers the league has ever seen.
Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards has officially made the leap from exciting young star to full blown franchise centerpiece. Averaging nearly 30 points per game while adding around 5 rebounds and 4 assists, Edwards combines elite athleticism with improved shot creation. His ability to attack the rim with power while also knocking down pull-up threes has turned him into one of the hardest players to defend in the league. Edwards also brings strong on ball defense and competitive energy that elevates Minnesota’s identity. Most importantly he is SO F****** CLUTCH. He has absolutely no fear when the game is on the line, going toe to toe with SGA and beating the Thunder basically on his own in the clutch earlier this season. He is such a killer that when his coach drew up a play for him to pass the ball in a close game with less than a minute left because of shooting struggles, he didn’t listen, took the shot, and nailed it, winning the game. However, like many young stars, his shot selection can still be inconsistent. He occasionally settles for difficult jumpers early in the shot clock, and his playmaking can be streaky. Still, the talent and scoring ceiling are undeniable.
James Harden
James Harden may not be the 36 points per game scorer he once was, but he remains one of the most intelligent players in the league. Averaging around 21 points and over 8 assists per game, Harden controls the pace of the offense and consistently creates high value shots for his teammates. His pick and roll playmaking remains elite, and he still draws defensive attention with his step back three and foul drawing ability. The biggest criticism of Harden now is his scoring aggression. There are stretches where he becomes overly passive, focusing more on facilitating than attacking the defense, but in his recent move to Cleveland, his new teammates Jarrett Allen has talked about how Harden has changed his life as a center, learning every day from him on how a center can truly connect with their point guard. It’s fair to assume that maybe learning to mesh is more important than winning now. Also, he’s an old man! As a floor general and offensive organizer, few players run an offense as effectively as Harden. He gave us one of the best quotes by a player in a while “Y’all just do your thing, I’ll figure it out,” when showing up in Cleveland, and he just might have already.
Kawhi Leonard
When healthy, Kawhi Leonard remains one of the most dominant two way players in the NBA. Yes, when healthy still must be emphasized (unfortunately). Averaging roughly 24 points per game with elite perimeter defense, Kawhi can still take over games with his mid range scoring and physical defensive presence at 34. His ability to guard multiple positions while also serving as a primary scorer makes him incredibly valuable in high stakes situations. However, health has become the defining factor in Leonard’s career. Load management and injuries have limited his availability, which makes it difficult for teams to rely on him over the course of a full season. When he is on the court, though, Kawhi still looks like the same unstoppable force that dominated playoff runs earlier in his career, and honestly, if he only missed around 5 games this season, it would not be crazy to have him in the top 10.
Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray continues to be one of the league’s best secondary stars and a perfect fit alongside Nikola Jokic. Averaging around 21 points and 6 assists, Murray thrives in Denver’s offensive system with his shot creation and two man chemistry with Jokic. His ability to hit tough jumpers and create offense late in the shot clock makes him extremely valuable in tight games. And when Jokic was out with a knee injury, Murray led the hospital Nuggets to 10-6 in a tough western conference. However, Murray’s consistency can still fluctuate during the regular season. There are stretches where his scoring efficiency dips and his defense becomes a liability against quicker guards. Despite this, Murray has repeatedly proven that when the stakes rise, he is capable of elevating his play to star level.
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson has transformed himself into one of the most reliable scoring guards in the NBA. Averaging close to 29 points and 6 assists per game, Brunson carries the Knicks’ offense with his elite footwork, mid range scoring, and clutch shot making. Despite being undersized, Brunson is extremely difficult to defend because of his strength, balance, and ability to create space. He also rarely turns the ball over, making him a steady decision maker in New York’s offense. His main limitation is defensive size and athleticism, which can make him a target in certain matchups, and recently he has been nearly what some would call abysmal in terms of efficiency. Multiple games in a row with sub 40% shooting is NOT what you want from the guy you employ strictly for his scoring, but somehow at the same time he has been dishing out assists like Trae Young, with 15, and 11 in the best few games. Even though he’s lacking right now, he should regress to the mean again per usual, and Brunson’s offensive production and leadership have turned him into one of the league’s most valuable point guards.
Tyrese Maxey
Tyrese Maxey has become one of the fastest and most explosive guards in basketball. Averaging about 29 points per game while shooting efficiently from three, Maxey’s speed puts constant pressure on defenses in transition and pick and roll situations. His scoring leap has made him Philadelphia’s primary offensive weapon, and his improved three-point shooting has added another dimension to his game. However, Maxey is still developing as a full-time floor general. His playmaking vision and defensive impact are areas where he can continue to grow. His high minutes also blow his stats out of proportion, and when Embiid and Paul George aren’t playing, he takes an unhealthy amount of forced shots and it hurts his efficieny. He is also freezing cold in clutch moments, and whether it’s a nerves thing or he simply is not ready, it needs work if he wants to WIN. Even so, his scoring ability and pace make him one of the most dangerous young guards in the league.
Jalen Johnson
Jalen Johnson has quietly developed into one of the most exciting breakout forwards in the league. Averaging roughly 22 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 8 assists, Johnson brings elite athleticism and energy to Atlanta’s frontcourt. His ability to run the floor, finish through contact, and rebound at a high level gives the Hawks a dynamic transition weapon. Johnson has also shown a LOT flashes of playmaking ability, often pushing the ball himself after defensive rebounds and creating offense for teammates. Defensively, his length and mobility allow him to switch onto multiple positions, making him a valuable piece in Atlanta’s defensive schemes. However, Johnson’s game is still developing, particularly on the perimeter. His lack of consistent three-point shooting can limit spacing at times, and he is a bottom 5 perimeter defender with an insaely high blowby rate, but Atlanta has good rim protectors, so it may be part of the defensive strategy there. He’s still young, and his athletic tools and improving skill set make him one of the most promising young forwards in the league.
Scottie Barnes
Scottie Barnes continues to prove why he is one of the most versatile young players in the league. Averaging around 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, Barnes contributes in nearly every statistical category and often acts as Toronto’s offensive hub. At 6’9” with guard like playmaking ability, he can initiate offense, attack mismatches in the post, and create open looks for teammates. Defensively, Barnes is capable of guarding multiple positions and frequently takes on the toughest assignments on the floor and if not for Wembanyama, he would be a defensive player of the year favorite. His sheer strength and ball IQ makes him a nightmare on and off ball defensively. However, his biggest weakness remains consistency as a shooter. While his scoring has improved, his three point efficiency can still fluctuate, which sometimes allows defenses to sag off him ruining the entire offensive scheme. Despite that, Barnes’ ability to impact every part of the game makes him one of the most valuable do it all forwards in the NBA, and if he doesn’t become an offensive star, he will already be cemented as a defensive one.