The 2023-24 NBA season was a thrilling ride, filled with incredible performances and exciting storylines. As we look ahead to the upcoming 2024-25 season, it’s time to evaluate the top players in the league and rank them accordingly.
In this article, we’ll unveil the NBA’s Top 100 Players for the 2024-25 season. This ranking takes into account a variety of factors, including individual performance, team impact, and overall talent.
1. Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic stands as the singular player capable of consistently ensuring his team secures a high-quality shot on every possession. His influence is evident both in overt displays and in subtler aspects of the game. There is no defensive matchup he cannot take advantage of, whether he is scoring or setting up his teammates. Furthermore, his defensive skills have significantly improved. Interestingly, his lack of desire for recognition as the best player in the world contributes to his status as such. Each action he takes is devoid of personal motives or ego. Jokic represents the quintessential essence of a basketball player.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Last season, the Greek Freak experienced a sense of déjà vu as he delivered yet another remarkable performance, ranking among the top 15 in scoring, rebounding, and assists. He became only the third player, alongside Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson, to average at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in multiple seasons. However, once again, an injury rendered him a non-factor in the playoffs. Although the past few years have not unfolded as anticipated for Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, he continues to be one of the most formidable players in the league, excelling on both ends of the court.
3. Luka Doncic
Even after six years in the league, it remains a common experience to observe Luka Doncic in action and ponder, “How is he achieving this?” He operates at a tempo reminiscent of paint drying, yet during the Mavericks’ journey to the NBA Finals, it became evident that even the most skilled defenders struggled to contain him. Doncic capitalizes on double teams, and when a larger defender is switched onto him on the perimeter, he is likely to sink a spectacular three-pointer. His ball-handling is characterized by finesse, he asserts his strength in the paint, and he has delivered some of the most remarkable assists in NBA history. Following a season in which he led the league in scoring, he is coming off the most statistically impressive year of his career, all while still being only 25 years old.
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP runner-up from last season, continues to rise in the rankings as his Thunder team improves. He has led the NBA in drives for four consecutive seasons and has become even more efficient with improved spacing. Gilgeous-Alexander’s defensive skills, including steals and deflections, have also been impressive. With the additions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder are expected to have a strong defense and a more diverse offense, making their path to the playoffs clearer.
5. Joel Embiid
Considered one of the most formidable individual scorers in the league, Embiid has significantly improved as a central figure in Nick Nurse’s motion-focused offensive strategy. He is also demonstrating enhanced anticipation and effectiveness in passing out of double teams. The synergy of Embiid’s face-up jump shot and powerful post play, which nearly ensures a visit to the free-throw line, renders him nearly impossible to defend. Furthermore, he continues to be an exceptionally effective rim protector, despite occasional limitations in his defensive range and mobility.
6. Stephen Curry
Curry continues to be a formidable offensive force, distinguished by his unique movement and exceptional shooting ability. At the age of 36, it is difficult to identify any significant decline in his offensive performance. However, it has become evident that despite his enduring greatness, an enhanced supporting cast is essential for him to re-enter the realm of championship contention. LeBron shares a similar experience.
7. Jayson Tatum
At long last, Tatum is an NBA champion. Along the way he passed his idol, Kobe Bryant, for the most playoff points before turning 27 and joined Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, LeBron James and Nikola Jokic as the only players to win a title while leading their team in points, rebounds and assists during the postseason. Tatum didn’t win the Eastern Conference finals or Finals MVP awards, but he was the driving force for Boston’s league-leading 18th championship. Few players, if any, are as well-rounded as the Celtics star, who is one of just three players to make All-NBA First Team in each of the last three seasons.
8. LeBron James
LeBron James has recently achieved the distinction of being the oldest player to receive an MVP award in any competition involving active NBA players, having been named the most valuable player of the 2024 Olympics. This accomplishment surpasses a record he previously established during the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament. While it may be unrealistic to anticipate that the soon-to-be quadragenarian can maintain the status of the NBA’s top player throughout an 82-game season, it is undeniable that, in a more condensed format, few players in basketball instill as much apprehension in their opponents as LeBron James. The exact number of MVP awards that remain within his aging physique is uncertain, yet when the situation demands it, he is still capable of unleashing the skill and intensity that initially brought him success.
9. Kevin Durant
Durant remains pretty close to the height of his powers. Last season he averaged 27-6-5 on 41% 3-point shooting, and perhaps most importantly, he played in 75 games — by far his highest mark since leaving Golden State. The were rumors that he didn’t love the way he was being used by Frank Vogel. It will be interesting to see what kind of difference Mike Budenholzer makes in terms of Durant’s spots and shots and the way he receives the ball; i.e. in stationary positions or off more of his preferred pin-down screens. Either way, Durant was the best isolation scorer in basketball last season.
10. Anthony Edwards
Edwards made a remarkable leap from 22nd place on this list last year to 10th this year, highlighting his impressive rise to prominence. He achieved career-high averages in all statistical categories during the previous season, marked his inaugural All-NBA selection, and guided the Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals, where they notably defeated the reigning champion Nuggets. During the early stages of the Wolves’ playoff journey, there were valid aesthetic comparisons drawn to Michael Jordan. Throughout the summer, he reaffirmed his position among the elite in the sport by taking on a pivotal role in Team USA’s gold medal pursuit.
11. Anthony Davis
The 2023-24 season marked a period of acceptance for Anthony Davis. Nearly 75% of his shot attempts originated in the paint, representing the highest percentage during his time with the Lakers, especially considering there were seasons when he barely surpassed 50%. After averaging over five mid-range shots per game at the peak of his career with the Lakers, Davis concluded the last season with fewer than three attempts. While he may still aspire to play as a power forward, he has ultimately recognized the necessity for him to perform in the role of a center for the Lakers. Despite the potential physical strain associated with this position, the outcomes were undeniable. Davis experienced his most successful season since securing the championship in 2020, dominating the paint and effectively sustaining a struggling Laker defense.
12. Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama, in his rookie season, averaged impressive statistics after the All-Star break, including points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. His performance surpasses even that of peak Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Wembanyama’s unique combination of size and skill makes him a groundbreaking player in the NBA. His post-break statistics are likely just a starting point, and he may continue to improve significantly in the future.
13. Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson had a remarkable season, scoring 40 or more points in four consecutive playoff games, a feat only previously achieved by Michael Jordan. He had a total of 16 40-point games, second only to Luka Doncic. Despite being undrafted and previously undervalued, Brunson has become a superstar and signed a significant contract extension with the Knicks. The team’s additions of Mikal Bridges and the return of Julius Randle aim to reduce Brunson’s scoring burden and create a more balanced offense.
14. Devin Booker
Booker has emerged as one of the most overlooked players in the league, while also being among the most efficient. He excels in the mid-range game, and when he finds his rhythm, he is capable of scoring over 40 points without relying heavily on three-point shots. He embodies the ideal plug-and-play player that any championship-contending team would desire. Last season, we witnessed Booker’s adaptability as he primarily took on the point guard role for a Suns team that was deficient in that area. This shift led to a career-high in assists for Booker, demonstrating that he is not only one of the premier shooting guards in the league but can also be considered among the top point guards as well.
15. Jaylen Brown
Nearly a decade ago, Brown was welcomed to the league with boos from Celtics fans upset that he was their selection at No. 3 in the 2016 NBA Draft. Now, he’s a franchise icon and one of the most beloved athletes in Boston. He stamped his status with a spectacular playoff run, in which he hit the two biggest shots — the game-tying 3-pointer in the waning seconds of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals and the game-sealing jumper in Game 3 of the Finals — and was named Eastern Conference finals MVP and Finals MVP. There aren’t so many jokes these days about Brown’s left hand or $300 million contract.
16. Ja Morant
At his peak, Morant ranks among the most thrilling guards in the league, distinguished by his remarkable abilities and bold inventiveness. However, it has been some time since he has demonstrated this talent on the court. Due to a combination of suspensions and injuries, the high-flying player has participated in only 70 games over the past two seasons. The question of whether Morant can regain his All-NBA form stands as one of the most significant narratives to follow this year. Should he succeed, the Grizzlies may emerge as a formidable contender in the Western Conference.
17. Tyrese Haliburton
On January 9, when Tyrese Haliburton sustained his injury, he was averaging 23.6 points per game, along with an additional 32.3 points generated through assists per game. This resulted in a remarkable total of 55.9 points of offensive production, which would represent the highest combined total recorded during the tracking era by a significant margin. The prevailing image of Haliburton in the minds of many is that of the diminished player we observed during the latter part of the season and throughout the postseason. He has somewhat become a figure of humor due to his role as the bench vibes captain during the Olympics. However, it is essential to recall that he was selected to be part of the most talented Olympic team of the 21st century for a valid reason. Haliburton is a dynamic fast break player, a unique stylistic presence that enables the Pacers to compete in a manner that has allowed their relatively modest roster to reach the Eastern Conference finals.
18. Kawhi Leonard
Though he was once again unable to stay healthy in the playoffs, it’s easy to forget that Leonard was able to play in 68 games last season. For most of that time, he looked every bit like one of the best players in the league again at 23 PPG and better than a 62% true-shooting clip. He’s still one of the deadliest pull-up shooters with his ability to separate late, as evidenced by his 1.2 points per possession in isolation — the league’s most efficient mark among all players with better than a 15% isolation frequency. Over a two-month stretch from the turn of the calendar to the end of February, Leonard made 46% of his 3-pointers on almost five attempts per game.
19. Donovan Mitchell
A consistent presence among the league’s top ten scorers, Mitchell achieved personal bests in assists, rebounds, and steals during the previous season. He excelled in the absence of Darius Garland, taking full command of the offense as the sole playmaker. When he accelerates downhill, he becomes nearly impossible to defend as a pull-up shooter due to his strength; however, his pull-up shooting percentages saw a significant decline last season, standing at 35% overall and 30% from beyond the arc.
20. Paul George
George was finally healthy last season, when he reached the 70-game mark for the first time since 2019. Once again, though, the Clippers’ hopes were dashed by an injury in the playoffs, this time to Kawhi Leonard. And so, five years after returning home to Los Angeles, George packed his bags and signed with Philadelphia in free agency. He’s not the player he was at his peak, and injuries will always be a concern, but he remains a terrific two-way wing who should be a perfect fit alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
