Ranking the greatest NBA players in the world right now from LeBron James to Nikola Jokic and Stephen Curry

NBA players are among the best athletes in the world.

To rank among the best of the best in The Association is to truly be on top of the basketball mountain in 2025.

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While Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar constantly dominate the conversation for the greatest NBA players of all-time, those legendary names have recorded their final minutes on the hardwood.

Big men used to be everything in basketball, while some of the league’s greatest players have never won a ring.

LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are still making modern history.

But Victor Wembanyama is changing the future of the league, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an annual MVP candidate, and Anthony Edwards is back in the playoffs.

With Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving falling out of the top 20, here is talkSPORT’s inside look at the best NBA players in the world right now.

20. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

The former No. 1 overall draft pick is putting up increasingly impressive numbers.

Banchero has led the Magic to the playoffs in back-to-back campaigns.

He’s averaging 22.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists through three seasons, while already earning NBA Rookie of the Year and an All-Star selection.

Banchero’s 28-point average in the playoffs highlights his potential, and he doesn’t turn 23 until November.

But the ex-Duke star is still searching for his first postseason series victory.

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Paolo Banchero cracked the top 20 with big playoff numbers[/caption]

19. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Cunningham is another former No. 1 pick coming into his own.

Detroit finished 44-38 and avoided the play-in tournament this season, and the ex-Oklahoma State star was the primary reason why.

Cunningham set career highs in average points (26.1) and asssists (9.1), becoming the face of the rebuilt Pistons.

He then averaged 25 points, 8.7 assists and 8.3 rebounds during a first-round series defeat to the New York Knicks.

Detroit is only going forward, while Cunningham is just getting started.

18. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden disappointed again in the playoffs.

The Klaw almost carried the Clippers into the second round.

Leonard only played in 37 games this season and his career has been limited by constant injuries.

But the two-time NBA Finals MVP averaged 25 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 53.7 percent from the floor as Los Angeles pushed Denver to seven games.

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Kawhi Leonard did his best to carry the Clippers past Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets[/caption]

17. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Trae Young puts up bigger stats but Brown is a world champion for a reason.

The Boston tough guy is a huge piece for the Celtics, teaming with Jayson Tatum to keep the reigning champs near the top of the Eastern Conference.

Brown is a Finals MVP and can do it all for Boston.

He’d put up even bigger numbers on a lesser team.

16. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns

For all the time that Durant spends defending himself and his basketball legacy, no one doubts how talented he is.

He surpassed 30,000 points in his career and is coming off a fourth gold medal with Team USA in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Even at 36, few players in the world are as skilled offensively as the Slim Reaper.

His main drawback right now is that the Suns aren’t serious title contenders.

No one will be surprised if Durant is playing for his fifth NBA team next season.

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15. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

A couple of years ago, Booker was on the verge of becoming one of the best players in the league.

He’s still near the top, despite another painful letdown by Phoenix.

“The most frustrating part is being that close a few years ago, and now being back to where we are,” Booker said.

He has a big-shot, big-game mentality and is one of the premier closers in the NBA.

But Phoenix faces big questions and Booker still needs a ring.

14. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks

Davis is a force – when he’s healthy.

A blockbuster trade to Dallas shook up the NBA.

Davis wowed Mavericks fans in his debut, but then he was forced to leave the court and miss several weeks of action.

His 26.3 PER, which ranked fifth in the league, is a reminder of Davis’ full-court talent.

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13. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

Before he got into serious trouble with the NBA, Morant was one of the bright new stars in the league.

He regained his flash this season, pushing Memphis into the play-in tournament.

Morant is only 25 and should be playing for another decade.

But does he have the inner drive and focus to be a true leader for the Grizzlies?

12. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Wembanyama will soon be in the top five of this loaded list if he keeps taking over the league.

While the Spurs spent his rookie season as one of the worst teams in the NBA, Wemby has exceeded his draft hype to wow everyone from Durant to James.

There’s a long way to go for the 21-year-old from France.

But Wembanyama is already a unanimous Rookie of the Year, and he’s scored 50 points in a game.

The Spurs need to start winning nightly with De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Wemby.

But first Wembanyama must get healthy and find his way back to the court.

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11. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

A healthy and fit Doncic would also be much higher on this list.

He has all the talent in the world and has drawn better-than-Dirk-Nowitzki comparisons.

Doncic can be unstoppable on offense and is still only 26-years-old.

If he stays in Los Angeles, Doncic can learn the ways of the force from The King and become the next face of the Lakers.

10. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

James rivals Michael Jordan as the best player in NBA history.

Only one of the two averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and shot 51 percent from the field at age 40.

All hail ‘The King’, who became the first player in NBA history to reach 50,000 points.

Now he has Doncic in Los Angeles, while his son Bronny is also an occasional Laker.

But another first-round letdown should have The King thinking big.

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Luka Doncic and LeBron James were knocked out of the first round[/caption]

9. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Brunson has evolved from a second-round pick into the new face of the Knicks.

He kept New York near the top of a strong Eastern Conference the last two seasons and cracked the top-five of NBA MVP voting in 2023-24.

Once a backup for the Dallas Mavericks, Brunson’s attacking style has been perfect for New York.

But he has another stage to reach to become an all-time great for the Knicks.

8. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

The greatest shooter of all-time recently added Jimmy Butler, and Curry is still playing at a very high level.

But whether Golden State can make another Finals run with No. 30 is a growing question.

The Warriors have lost Klay Thompson and Draymond Green can be unreliable.

Curry has spent years carrying Golden State.

He’s made more than 4,000 3-pointers, but another ring is his main goal.

With Shaquille O’Neal doubting Curry, it’s a crucial postseason for the Warriors.

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7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Mitchell bet on himself by bouncing out of Utah.

He’s been even better with the Cavaliers, taking the next step in a career that has already featured six All-Star selections and an All-NBA second team honor.

This season, Mitchell averaging 24 points while Cleveland fought for the best record in the NBA.

The former Jazzman is a dynamic talent and has become the new face of the Cavs in a post-LeBron era.

A $150 million extension last offseason ensured that Mitchell is staying in Cleveland.

6. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

A recent 40-point outburst was a reminder of KAT’s power.

Pairing with Brunson, the Knicks duo are trying to climb past Cleveland and Boston in the East.

Towns spent years putting up big numbers with Minnesota.

A huge trade gave him a better shot at reaching the Finals with New York.

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Karl-Anthony Towns has put Minnesota behind him in New York[/caption]

5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Tatum is one of the smoothest and purest basketball players in the world.

He’s climbed up the annual MVP vote while carrying Boston to an NBA championship.

The former Duke star can score from anywhere on the court and has an all-around game that makes Larry Bird proud.

Now, he finally has his elusive NBA title and gave the Celtics a record 18th championship.

Tatum even got to share the once-in-a-lifetime moment with his son.

4. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Best known as ‘Ant-Man’, the speedy and athletic guard has taken over the Timberwolves.

Edwards’s leaping ability and aggressive offensive style are perfect for the contemporary NBA.

A big playoff run last season moved him higher on this list.

But with Towns in New York, the T-Wolves were inconsistent in 2024-25.

Edwards is too talented to be fighting for the middle of the pack in the West.

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

In most worlds, the Greek Freak would be the best basketball player on the planet.

Antetokounmpo has already done it all, winning the NBA Finals and twice being named the league’s MVP.

But his time in Milwaukee could be limited, especially after a blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard was a bust.

The Greek Freak has a huge career decision to make.

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

SGA is a scoring machine, and his talent is matched by his confidence and charisma.

After spending years rebuilding and losing, OKC has serious hope with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge.

The Thunder are one of the best teams in the NBA, while SGA is a serious MVP candidate.

No one is surprised by Shai anymore.

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1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

The joke is on you if you still doubt Jokic, who pulled off the first 30-20-20 in NBA history.

He’s already won three MVPs and again has the Nuggets near the top of the West.

‘The Joker’ is an unbelievable shooter and passer, and plays basketball so smoothly it’s easy to miss how dominant he is.

He’s also one of the best stories in the NBA.

A young kid from Serbia evolved from a second-round draft pick into the greatest basketball player in the world.