Ranking basketball players is basically a fool’s errand. You’re trying to compare a 7-foot-4 alien who blocks shots from the perimeter with a 6-foot-2 point guard who lives on floaters and grit. It’s messy. Yet, every year, we collectively lose our minds over the Bleacher Report top 100 NBA players list.
Why? Because it’s the definitive "who's who" before the season tips off, and honestly, the 2025-26 edition has been one of the most polarizing they've ever dropped.
If you’ve spent any time on NBA Twitter (or X, whatever) lately, you’ve seen the flame wars. Fans are livid about where their stars landed. Some of the placements feel like a total slap in the face, while others seem like they’re rewarding potential over actual hardware. But if we’re being real, the B/R panel usually has a method to the madness. They focus on winning impact right now. Not three years ago. Not three years from now.
The Top 10 Drama: Who’s Actually No. 1?
Let’s get the big one out of the way. Nikola Jokic is still the king. It’s almost boring at this point.
The Joker remains the undisputed best player in the world because he’s a walking triple-double who doesn’t even look like he’s trying. B/R put him at No. 1 again, and you really can’t argue it. Last season he was averaging career highs in assists, and his efficiency is basically a video game glitch.
But the real spice starts at No. 2.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is fresh off an MVP and Finals MVP run. Seeing him leapfrog Giannis and Luka is a massive statement. It’s the "new era" officially arriving. SGA isn’t just a scorer anymore; he’s a plus-defender and the engine of a Thunder team that looks like a dynasty in the making.
- Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
- Luka Doncic (Lakers) - Yes, the Lakers move changed everything.
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
Wait, did you catch that? Luka Doncic in a Lakers jersey. The trade that shook the league over the summer is the primary reason his ranking is so volatile. Some analysts think he’ll hit No. 1 by April because he’s finally in a "big market" spotlight with a revamped roster. Others think the adjustment period will keep him stuck at 4 or 5.
The Wemby Factor
Victor Wembanyama at No. 5 is high. Too high? Maybe. But the kid led the league in blocks as a sophomore and is already the best defensive player on the planet. B/R is betting on the "pterodactyl" effect. If he adds a consistent three-point shot this year, the rest of the league is essentially cooked.
The Disrespect to the Old Guard?
This is where the Bleacher Report top 100 NBA players list usually starts to hurt people's feelings. We’re watching the sunset of the greatest generation we’ve ever seen, and the rankings reflect that decline—even if the players themselves refuse to admit it.
LeBron James at No. 12? It feels wrong. He’s 41. He’s the "Lion in Winter," as some are calling him. On his best nights, he’s still the smartest and most dominant force on the court. On his bad nights, he looks like... well, a 41-year-old man with a lot of miles.
Then there’s Kevin Durant at No. 11. Now a Houston Rocket, KD is still an automatic bucket. But B/R pointed out something interesting: his offensive impact has been on a slow, steady decline since the Achilles tear. He’s still elite, but he’s no longer the "he can win a series by himself" guy he was in 2017.
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Stephen Curry holds onto No. 6, mostly because his "gravity" is still the most valuable non-statistical asset in the league. Even when he’s not hitting, defenses panic. That has to count for something.
The Biggest Risers and the "Next Big Things"
If you aren't watching the Detroit Pistons, you're missing the Cade Cunningham explosion.
Cade crashed the top 10 this year, which felt like a massive reach to some, but the tape doesn't lie. His jump shot is finally elite, and his playmaking has reached that "slow-motion" level where he just sees plays before they happen. He’s the primary reason Detroit is actually competitive again.
- Donovan Mitchell (Cavs): Finally getting his flowers at No. 8.
- Anthony Edwards (Wolves): At No. 7, he’s the most explosive player in the game.
- Cade Cunningham (Pistons): The "Next Big Thing" at No. 10.
- Evan Mobley (Cavs): The reigning DPOY at No. 14.
Anthony Davis is an interesting case. Now in Dallas, he’s still the best defensive anchor when healthy. But "when healthy" is a heavy caveat that has kept him from sniffing the top 5 for years.
Why These Rankings Actually Matter (and Why They Don't)
Look, a list is just a list. It doesn't win games. But the Bleacher Report top 100 NBA players rankings act as a barometer for trade value and All-Star expectations.
One thing most people get wrong is thinking these are "legacy" rankings. They aren't. They are "Right Now" rankings. That’s why you’ll see Jalen Brunson (No. 13) ahead of guys with more rings. In a playoff game tonight, you’d probably take Brunson’s "tough bucket" ability over a fading veteran.
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The Controversy: Jaylen Brown
The biggest snub? Probably Jaylen Brown. People are arguing he’s being unfairly penalized for Tatum's absence (injury). With Jayson Tatum sidelined, Brown has to prove he can be the No. 1 option on a championship-level team. B/R seems skeptical, keeping him outside the top 15 while giving the nod to younger risers like Mobley.
What To Watch For Next
The rankings are dynamic. B/R updates these as the season progresses, and we’re already seeing some movement.
If you're looking for an edge in your fantasy league or just want to win the next argument at the bar, keep an eye on Amen Thompson in Houston. He’s the biggest riser outside the top 50 and could easily crack the top 25 by the All-Star break.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Focus on EPM and LEBRON metrics: These advanced stats are what the B/R panel heavily weights. If a player’s "On/Off" numbers are trash, they won't climb this list.
- Watch the "Trade Value": Players in the 20-40 range are the ones most likely to be moved. Guys like Trae Young (who many feel is too low) are prime candidates for a ranking surge if they get a change of scenery.
- Don't ignore the rookies: Cooper Flagg (No. 61) is the highest-ranked rookie since Wemby. He’s already impacting winning in a way most 19-year-olds can't.
Keep checking the box scores, but remember: context is everything. A guy scoring 30 on a 20-win team isn't the same as a guy scoring 18 for a contender. That’s the "winning impact" filter that makes these rankings so frustrating—and so accurate.
To get the most out of these rankings, you should track how the top 10 players perform in "clutch time" (the last five minutes of a close game). This is usually where the B/R panel finds the justification to swap players like Shai and Giannis in the mid-season update.