Ranking all 150 projected starters in the NBA is a challenging exercise. In case you missed part 1 of this series, where I covered players 150 through 11, this is the first year where I’m attempting to do exactly that. 

As a reminder, only players who are projected to play the whole season are included, so you won’t see Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, or other injured stars on this list. 

The top 10, filled with true superstars, is going to come under much heavier scrutiny. Everybody has an opinion when it comes to this range, and there is no real consensus. Here’s my top 10. 

MORE: Ranking the 15 best games on the 2025-26 NBA schedule

Ranking all 150 starters in the NBA: Top 10Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic1. Nikola Jokic

Jokic has finished top two in MVP voting over the past five years, winning the award three times during that span. If there is one guy you want to build a team around next year, it’s him. 

Jokic is the best passer in the game, using elite court vision, feel, and skill to whip the ball through the tiniest openings. He also might be the best scorer. He averaged a career-high 29.6 points per game last season, buoyed by a career-high 42 percent from 3. That newfound 3-point shot makes him truly an impossible cover. He was already deadly with his midrange fadeaways, post ups, and the best floater in the league. 

Jokic isn’t a great defender. His athletic tools will always hold him back there. He finds ways to contribute though, kicking the ball to allow the Nuggets defense to reset or using his excellent hands and anticipation to generate steals. 

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Gilgeous-Alexander was the best player on the best team in basketball. He is a driving machine, getting into the paint and collapsing opposing defenses with his twisty contortions. He’s great from the midrange, a capable 3-point shooter, and draws a ton of fouls. His detractors call him a free throw merchant, which does a disservice to the extremely high skill level he possesses. 

MORE: Investigating Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ‘free throw merchant’ label

Gilgeous-Alexander is a rare two-way superstar. He was an important piece of the Thunder’s all-time great defense, getting a ton of steals. He’s not close to the team’s best on-ball defender, but he’s not a liability either. 

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Greek Freak added an automatic midrange jumper to his game last season, making up for a still-poor 22 percent shooting from 3. That outside shot has made his drives even tougher to stop. He’s too fast, strong, and long to keep out of the paint, where he is a great finisher at the rim. 

Giannis has only one Defensive Player of the Year award but finished top 10 in voting for seven consecutive years. He’s not quite as dominant as he was six or seven years ago, but he can still cover a ton of ground and is one of the best help defenders in the league. 

4. Luka Doncic

Doncic is a magician with the ball, averaging 7.7 assists last season between the Lakers and Mavericks. He’s only two years removed from winning the scoring title. He has a great step-back 3, a bully-ball driving game, and a killer deceleration step that he uses at the rim. There’s no good way to guard him — he routinely picks apart every type of coverage due to his tremendous feel. And he looks like he’s coming into this year in the best shape of his life.

5. Victor Wembanyama

Wemby is already the league’s best defender at the age of 21. Opponents are afraid to challenge him at the rim, u-turning their drives in the lane when they spot him near the basket. He has still led the league in blocks per game in both years of his career. He’s also a terrific defensive rebounder, thanks to his eight-foot wingspan. 

Wembanyama isn’t quite as polished on offense. He’s an adequate 3-point shooter who takes some very tough looks and isn’t afraid of deep bombs. His catch radius is enormous, and he should get more easy gimmes at the basket with the Spurs’ improved point guard play this year. He finds ways to score efficiently, and he’s also turning into a plus passer. 

6. Stephen Curry

Curry is still the best movement shooter in the league and a nightmare for opposing coaches. He led the league in 3-pointers made and attempted per game, connecting on 40 percent of those looks last year. He also had the league’s best free throw percentage, hitting 93.3 percent from the line.

He has perfected his role in the Warriors’ motion offense, flying off screens and making perfect passes when he draws a swarm of defenders. Defensively, he has mastered the hedge-and-recover that the team oftentimes uses to keep him out of bad matchups. He has gotten much stronger throughout his career, helping him guard his position. 

Anthony Edwards7. Anthony Edwards

Edwards has always been one of the league’s premier athletes. He also became one of the best high volume 3-point shooters too last season. He led the league in made 3’s while connecting on 39.5 percent of those shots. He’s a fantastic driver, showed remarkable growth as a passer throughout the season, and is an unstoppable scorer. 

Edwards also has the tools to lock in defensively and make it a nightmare to get past him. His off-ball defense isn’t nearly at that same level, which should be the next stage of growth for him. 

8. Donovan Mitchell

Mitchell is a fantastic three-level scorer who is capable of creating quality looks for himself and others. He has the speed, agility, and athleticism to get to the rim or rise up for pull-up 3’s. He has improved his passing over the past few years, taking over some point guard responsibilities when Darius Garland has been out.

While his lack of defensive intensity went viral at times in Utah, he has been very locked in ever since joining the Cavs. He has a 6-foot-10 wingspan that he uses to his advantage. 

9. Jalen Brunson

Brunson plays way bigger than his 6-foot-2 size. He tries to hit opponents first, relishing physicality and contact. He chains together dribble moves like he’s playing in a video game, getting defenders off balance and hitting tough shots from all over the floor. That allows him to hit huge shots in the clutch, when the Knicks can clear out and let him go to work one-on-one. 

Brunson’s small stature is always going to make him a target on defense. He draws a lot of charges, executes the team’s schemes well, and has held up better than expected on switches, particularly against the Celtics in last year’s playoffs. 

LeBron James10. LeBron James

LeBron made his 21st consecutive All-NBA team last year, and it was based strictly on merit. He’s still one of the 10 best players in the league even entering his 40’s. 

LeBron is a freight train going to the rim, where nobody can stop him once he gets a head of steam. He has turned himself into a good 3-point shooter, hitting 39 percent of his looks over the past two years. When he gets the ball in the high post, there isn’t a better decision-maker on the planet. His high feel, passing, and scoring are still elite. 

LeBron isn’t able to lock into defensive possessions and chase players around the floor throughout the entire season any more. He picks his spots wisely. He will still get highlight chase-down blocks, and he is more of a quarterback now, calling out coverages and directing teammates where to go. He can still be disruptive and switch onto wings and centers when he needs to. 

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Sporting News ranking of Top 150 NBA startersRankPlayerTeamNotes1.Nikola JokicNuggetsBest passer and scorer in the league2.Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderThunderGumby driver, steals magnet3.Giannis AntetokounmpoBucksBest motor of any superstar4.Luka DoncicLakersUnguardable savant5.Victor WembanyamaSpursWill go down as an all-time defender6.Stephen CurryWarriorsStill the most dangerous shooter 7.Anthony EdwardsWolvesGreat shooter now to go with drives8.Donovan MitchellCavsAll-around scorer, improved defense9.Jalen BrunsonKnicksPhysicality + deep bag10.LeBron JamesLakersStill this good in Year 2311.Anthony DavisMavericksLobs + elite defense12.Kevin DurantRocketsScoring unc13.Cade CunninghamPistonsTall floor general14.Devin BookerSunsThree-level scorer15.Tyrese MaxeySixersBest no. 2 in the league16. Pascal SiakamPacersStar in any and every role17.Evan MobleyCavsDPOY with improved offense18.Karl-Anthony TownsKnicksBest shooting big19.Joel EmbiidSixersStill great at 70 percent20.Jaren Jackson Jr.GrizzliesImproved offense / killer defense21.Jimmy ButlerWarriorsThunder to Curry’s lightning22.Jalen WilliamsThunderDo-everything star23.Jaylen BrownCelticsConsistent scorer, inconsistent habits24.Kawhi LeonardClippersStill that guy when healthy25.Franz WagnerMagicShooting hitch holding him back26.Trae YoungHawksNightly floater/lob 15-hit combo 27.Zion WilliamsonPelicansTop 10 player when healthy28.Bam AdebayoHeatAmazing defender with limited bag29.Paolo BancheroMagicHighly skilled, needs better efficiency30.De’Aaron FoxSpursGifted with the ball in his hands31.James HardenClippersStill makes all of the passes32.Ja MorantGrizzliesAcrobatic at the cost of hard falls33.Darius GarlandCavsUnderrated passer, shoots from Mars34.LaMelo BallHornetsBest in creativity, worst in tattoos35.Jamal MurrayNuggetsOne of the best with 0 All-Star games36.Domantas SabonisKingsMonster stats, flaws exposed in big games37.Ivica ZubacClippersHigh feel, do-your-job on both ends38.Alperen SengunRocketsTurkish Kevin McHale39.Amen ThompsonRocketsFreak athlete with a great motor40.Derrick WhiteCelticsBest glue guy in the league41.Desmond BaneMagicShooter with T-Rex arms42.Chet HolmgrenThunderGo-go-gadget arms and silky-smooth 3s43.Lauri MarkkanenJazzThree-level scorer in a bad situation44.Draymond GreenWarriorsA+ defender but declining offense45.Aaron GordonNuggetsSafety blanket who can shoot now46.Tyler HerroHeatBig scorer, defense exposed in playoffs47.O.G. AnunobyKnicksSteals magnet and play finisher48.Julius RandleWolvesMonster scorer who can pass now49.Scottie BarnesRaptorsPoint forward with versatile defense50.Jalen JohnsonHawksDo-everything athlete51.Trey Murphy IIIPelicansAll-star talent fighting Pelicans injury curse52.Norm PowellHeatScore-first guard with infinite confidence53.DeMar DeRozanKingsDeadly pump fake / midrange game54.Mikal BridgesKnicksTalented but floats through games55.Zach LaVineKingsElectric scorer stuck in bad fits56.Austin ReavesLakersOverrated by Lakers fans, underrated by the rest57.Dyson DanielsHawksSteals savant with a nice floater58.Jrue HolidayBlazersElite defense, offense has fallen off59.Rudy GobertWolvesHistoric rim protection with zero bag60.Jarrett AllenCavsAthletic rebounder who needs to show up in big games61.Myles TurnerBucksStretch big who is still a good defender62.Brandon IngramRaptorsHigh volume scorer, must shoot more 3s and defend harder63.Coby WhiteBullsUndersized gunner/playmaker64.Isaiah HartensteinThunderAutomatic floater, rock-solid on both ends65.Jaden McDanielsWolvesStreaky offense, consistently awesome defense66.Cam JohnsonNuggetsHigh feel 3-and-okay-D67.Lu DortThunderHellacious defender with moon ball 3s68.CJ McCollumWizardsCan still shoot it from everywhere69.Jalen SuggsMagicPhysical defender, streaky shooter70.Paul GeorgeSixersBody starting to fail him71.Deni AvdijaBlazersGood defender, physical driver72.Michael Porter Jr.NetsBlack hole gunner, good rebounder73.Herb JonesPelicansNot on Herb, 3-pointer comes and goes74.Andrew NembhardPacersInsanely smart on both ends75.Josh HartKnicksPlays with reckless abandon76.Aaron NesmithPacersPhysical defender, knockdown shooter77.Christian BraunNuggetsHigh motor role player78.Brandon MillerHornetsPoor man’s Paul George79.Anfernee SimonsCelticsGreat shooter who can’t defend80.Brandin PodziemskiWarriorsDo-it-all coach’s favorite81.Josh GiddeyBullsFlawed stat stuffer82.Rui HachimuraLakersPhysical scorer with defensive issues83.Toumani CamaraBlazersAmazing defender, capable shooter84.RJ BarrettRaptorsBull in a china shop85.Ausar ThompsonPistons90’s center in a wing’s body86.Andrew WigginsHeatGood role player, weak motor87.Cooper FlaggMavericksShould be good right away88.Jakob PoeltlRaptorsSolid at everything but shooting89.Devin VassellSpursInconsistent 3-and-D talent90.Dereck Lively IIMavericksLobs, blocked shots, and passing91.Onyeka OkongwuHawksUndersized but makes it work92.Dorian Finney-SmithRocketsReliable 3-and-D vet, knows his role93.Jalen DurenPistonsGreat athlete and rebounder94.Jordan PoolePelicansCloser to his Warriors form now95.Jalen GreenSunsUp-and-down scorer96.Bradley BealClippersCan still score97.Stephon CastleSpursGreat defender, inefficient scorer98.Immanuel QuickleyRaptorsCan he ever stay healthy?99.John CollinsClippersUnderrated all-around scorer100.Tobias HarrisPistonsReliable veteran leader101.Jaden IveyPistonsCan he play off the ball?102.Miles BridgesHornetsBig scorer with low feel103.Klay ThompsonMavericksStill shoots well, has lost a step104.Keegan MurrayKings3-and-D wing who had a down year105.Dillon BrooksSunsA pest with an edge106.Quentin GrimesSixersScorer who can scale down107.Cam ThomasNetsPro bucket-getter who can’t defend108.Khris MiddletonWizardsCan still shoot, body is failing him109.Max StrusCavsUltimate competitor on both ends110.Deandre AytonLakersTalent with effort issues111.Nikola VucevicBullsTalented scorer who can’t defend112.Buddy HieldWarriorsMistake-prone but elite gunner113.Walker KesslerJazzBlocks shots but what else?114.Nic ClaxtonNetsGood defender, limited shooter115.Wendell Carter Jr.MagicJack-of-all-trades big who forgot how to shoot116.Donovan ClinganBlazersRim protector who fouls too much117.Mike ConleyWolvesGetting by on smarts118.D’Angelo RussellMavericksElite shooter, coach’s headache119.Malik MonkKingsSpark plug scorer120.Shaedon SharpeBlazersTremendous athlete, good midrange game121.Bennedict MathurinPacersAthletic scorer with limited vision122.Gary Trent Jr.BucksShooter that lives on the edge123.Jaylen WellsGrizzliesReliable with good two-way feel124.Matas BuzelisBullsShot-blocking demon with no fear125.Harrison BarnesSpursVeteran shooter whose defense has faded126.Mark WilliamsSunsHuge body that can’t stay healthy127.Zaccharie RisacherHawksRisacher is French for versatility128.Alex SarrWizardsDefense is there, efficiency is not129.Reed SheppardRocketsCan shoot and get steals130.Zach EdeyGrizzliesScreen-setter, rebounder, and finisher131.Royce O’NealeSunsKnows his 3-and-D role132.Kevin Porter Jr.BucksTalented but mistake-prone133.Kentavious Caldwell-PopeGrizzliesCan he recover his 3-pointer?134.Chris BoucherCelticsLimited stretch big 135.Isaac OkoroBullsThe MJ of Wayne Seldens136.Isaiah JacksonPacersHigh-energy two-way big137.Kel’el WareHeatGreat athlete who needs more focus138.Yves MissiPelicansRaw, talented vertical athlete139.Bilal CoulibalyWizardsGood defender with shaky offense140.Kyle KuzmaBucksThe Wizards broke him141.Kon KnueppelHornetsShooting gives him a high floor142.Ziaire WilliamsNetsToolsy wing, lacks offensive polish143.Bub CarringtonWizardsGood passer with size144.Ace BaileyJazzNatural bucket with limited vision145.Moussa DiabateHornetsHustle king 146.VJ EdgecombeSixersDefensive athlete, transition terror147.Isaiah CollierJazzDriver who needs to learn to shoot148.Keyonte GeorgeJazzScore-first guard with bad efficiency149.Neemias QuetaCelticsEnergy big man who can rebound150.Egor DeminNetsPlus passer, can he generate advantages?