The 2025 NBA season is already shaping as much as be one of the crucial thrilling in current reminiscence, filled with rising stars, elite veterans, and game-changing performances. From the clutch management of Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell to the generational dominance of Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo, these gamers are defining the league and making historical past each night time.
Let’s rank our prime 10 NBA gamers for the 2025 season.
10. Jalen Brunson
Because the chief of the Knicks, Jalen Brunson guided New York to its first Convention Finals since 2000. Over the previous two seasons, he’s one in every of solely two gamers—alongside Luka Dončić—to common 25+ factors and 6+ assists whereas enjoying 35+ minutes and taking pictures 45% from the sector and 35% from three. Brunson can also be the one Knicks participant to do that twice.
Recognized for his clutch performances, Brunson led the league in clutch factors and area objectives final yr and continues to raise his recreation within the playoffs. With additions like Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele, and Mike Brown’s motion-focused offense, the Knicks are constructed to take the subsequent step.
Regardless of a 3-3 begin, Brunson is averaging 31.2 factors, 3.8 rebounds, and 5 assists on 47% taking pictures, cementing his place among the many NBA’s prime 10.
9. Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell is coming off an All-NBA First Staff choice after main the Cavaliers to solely their second 60-win season in franchise historical past, the primary since LeBron James in 2008–09. Mitchell is one in every of six gamers in NBA historical past—alongside LeBron, Jordan, West, Iverson, and Durant—to common at the least 28 factors over 60 or extra playoff video games, highlighting his elite postseason scoring capability.
Regardless of back-to-back second-round exits, the Cavaliers have strengthened their roster with Lonzo Ball, Thomas Bryant, and Larry Nance Jr. Mitchell has began the season sturdy, averaging over 29 factors and 4.5 assists whereas taking pictures 55/43/77. His consistency, scoring, and playoff pedigree make him a top-10 participant regardless of Cleveland’s early struggles.
8. LeBron James
If immortality had a face, it could seem like LeBron James defying Father Time. He’s the one participant aged 40 or older to common at the least 20 factors, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in league historical past. Whereas his protection isn’t what it as soon as was, LeBron can nonetheless flip it on when it issues most.
As soon as he returns to the courtroom, he’ll share the ground with Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić, and firm, forming a formidable lineup within the Western Convention. As soon as totally wholesome, LeBron’s management, talent, and expertise make sure the Lakers stay a playoff menace and affirm his place among the many league’s elite gamers.
Even in his twenty third yr, LeBron continues to set the benchmark for longevity and excellence within the league, which is why he’s nonetheless a top-10 participant.
7. Stephen Curry
Even at 37, Stephen Curry stays one of the crucial harmful gamers within the NBA. Whereas he could now not be in his prime, the Warriors’ star guard continues to command defenses from the second he crosses halfcourt. Curry is the one guard in NBA historical past aged 35 or older to common at the least 24 factors and 6 assists per recreation.
This season, he’s placing up 26.5 factors on 46/38/94 taking pictures splits, including 1.5 steals and over 4 made threes per recreation—numbers no different participant is matching. The Warriors sit 4-3 within the loaded Western Convention, however with Curry nonetheless “cooking” nightly, they continue to be a crew to be feared as soon as the playoffs arrive. Curry’s talent, management, and unmatched taking pictures make him a perennial top-10 participant
6. Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama has made a direct influence in 2025, serving to the Spurs to a 5-0 begin—the most effective in franchise historical past. The 7’6” phenom turned the primary participant in NBA historical past to report 100+ factors and 15+ blocks within the first three video games of a season. Simply ask the Dallas Mavericks, who appeared mortified as he demoralized them.
At simply 20 years previous final season, Wembanyama turned the youngest participant to common over 24 factors, 11 rebounds, and three.5 blocks per recreation and the primary to take action this century. When you add in that he averaged greater than three made three-pointers per recreation as nicely, he is the one participant in historical past with these numbers.
This generational expertise, if well being permits, has the potential to rework the NBA and elevate the Spurs to change into a authentic contender.
5. Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards continues to impress the Timberwolves and the NBA together with his mixture of athleticism, talent, and confidence. At simply 24, he has led Minnesota to back-to-back Convention Finals appearances, showcasing a method of play usually in comparison with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Edwa
rds is one in every of solely two gamers in NBA historical past—alongside Stephen Curry—to common 25+ factors and 5+ rebounds whereas making 10 or extra three-pointers per recreation at 39% or higher, and the one participant to take action at age 25 or youthful. His development, scoring capability, and playoff influence make him a rising star poised to dominate for years to return.
4. Luka Doncic
Luka Dončić enters his first full season with the Lakers after a historic commerce, already making an enormous influence together with his improved conditioning and toned physique. The celebrity guard is averaging 41.3 factors, 11.5 rebounds, and eight.3 assists per recreation whereas taking pictures over 50% from the sector as of Nov 3, showcasing arguably the most effective model of himself but.
Together with his mixture of measurement, talent, and flexibility, Dončić has remodeled the Lakers right into a dominant pressure within the Western Convention, and followers can count on even larger performances as he continues to redefine what it means to be an elite NBA celebrity.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Regardless of commerce rumors and postseason frustrations with the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo stays one of many NBA’s prime three gamers and its most dominant pressure. He’s the one participant in league historical past to common 30+ factors on 60% taking pictures from the sector in a season—and he did it in back-to-back campaigns (2023-24 and 2024-25).
At present on tempo to attain it for a 3rd consecutive yr, Giannis combines scoring, rebounding, and defensive dominance in a method few gamers, even legends like Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain, have matched. Whereas Milwaukee could not but be a real title contender, the Greek Freak’s two-way excellence ensures he stays among the many league’s elite.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a historic 2024-25 season, profitable Finals MVP and the NBA Championship, in addition to common season MVP and scoring champion. He additionally received the ESPY and Male Athlete of the 12 months awards.
He turned the one guard in historical past to common 30+ factors on 50% taking pictures for 3 consecutive seasons, becoming a member of Michael Jordan, Shaq, and Kareem as one in every of 4 gamers to win Finals MVP, MVP, and the scoring title all in the identical yr. SGA is on the pinnacle of his skills, excelling as each a scorer and a defender.
He’s at the moment main the Thunder to their greatest begin in franchise historical past, 7-0, cementing his standing as arguably essentially the most unstoppable scorer.
1. Nikola Jokić
Nikola Jokić continues to redefine what it means to be an elite NBA participant, standing out as maybe essentially the most dominant since LeBron James in his prime or Michael Jordan within the Nineteen Nineties. The Serbian middle almost averaged a 30-point triple-double and have become the primary participant in historical past to report a 30-20-20 recreation, breaking Chamberlain’s single-game help report for a middle with 22 in opposition to the Suns.
He’s the one participant ever to common at the least 29 factors, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists with a 60% efficient area purpose proportion. This season, he’s averaging 20-14-10 on 59% taking pictures, guiding the Nuggets—now bolstered with Cam Johnson, Jonas Valančiūnas, and Bruce Brown — towards one other title run. In a league stacked with expertise, Jokić stays in a category of his personal.
