You’ve probably seen the lists. The ones where someone just copies and pastes the points-per-game leaderboard and calls it a day. Honestly, it’s lazy. If being the "best" was just about who shoots the most, we wouldn’t need the actual games. We’d just need a calculator.
Right now, the league is in this weird, beautiful transition. The old guard—LeBron, Steph, KD—are still doing things that shouldn't be physically possible for humans in their late 30s. But the absolute peak of the mountain? That belongs to a different breed of player.
When we talk about the best players in the nba, we’re talking about the guys who break the game. The ones where opposing coaches just throw up their hands because there is literally no "correct" defensive scheme. It’s about impact. It's about who you’d pick if your life depended on winning one single 48-minute game tonight.
The Serbian Cheat Code: Nikola Jokic
Let’s not overthink this. Nikola Jokic is the best basketball player on the planet. He’s currently sitting out with a pesky knee injury—expected back in early February 2026—but before he went down, he was casually averaging a triple-double.
29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists per game.
Think about that. A 6'11" center leads the league in assists. He doesn't jump high. He doesn't run particularly fast. He sort of just lumbers around like a guy who’s looking for his car keys in a parking lot, yet he’s always three steps ahead of everyone else. His True Shooting percentage is hovering around 71%. That is absurd. Basically, if Jokic takes a shot or passes to a teammate, it’s the most efficient possession in basketball history.
Some people still complain about his defense. They say he’s not a "rim protector." Sure, he’s not swatting ten shots a game into the third row, but he’s almost always in the right spot. His hands are like magnets. He gets steals just by existing. If you want to win, you want the Joker. Period.
The New King of Hollywood?
The biggest shock of the 2025-26 season wasn’t a highlight dunk. It was a trade. Luka Dončić is a Los Angeles Laker.
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It still feels fake when you see him in the purple and gold. But the production? That’s very real. Luka is currently the league’s leading scorer, pouring in 33.6 points per night. Since moving to LA, he’s basically taken over the "Main Man" role from LeBron James, who seems perfectly happy to let the younger Slovenian wizard handle the heavy lifting while he chases one more ring.
Luka’s game is pure "old man" energy in a 26-year-old’s body. He’s slow-playing the best athletes in the world. He uses his shoulder to create space, hits a step-back three that looks like it’s in slow motion, and then shouts at the opposing bench. He’s averaging over 12 free throw attempts per game. Defenders hate him. Fans love him. He’s a walking 40-point triple-double threat every single time he laces them up.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The Efficiency God
If you prefer your stars with a bit more "cool," look at OKC. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) is the reigning MVP for a reason. He’s the most consistent player in the league.
You know exactly what he’s going to do. He’s going to get to his spot in the midrange. He’s going to pump fake. He’s going to draw a foul or hit a smooth jumper. And he’s going to do it while looking like he’s barely breaking a sweat.
- Current Season: 31.6 PPG
- Shooting: 54.5% from the floor (ridiculous for a guard)
- Defense: 1.4 steals per game
The Thunder are a juggernaut because SGA doesn’t take "bad" shots. He doesn't play hero ball. He just methodically dismantles teams. He’s the reason why Oklahoma City went from a "spooky young team" to a legitimate dynasty-in-waiting.
The Alien in San Antonio
We have to talk about Victor Wembanyama. He’s 21. He’s 7'4". He has a 8-foot wingspan.
Wemby has officially moved into the top five of the best players in the nba this season. He’s averaging 26.2 points and nearly 13 rebounds, but it’s the defense that makes you rub your eyes. He’s leading the league with 3.6 blocks per game. Players are literally turning around and dribbling out of the paint when they see him standing there. It’s like a "No Fly Zone" but for basketball.
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He’s still learning. He sometimes settles for too many threes—though he’s improved that this year after working with Hakeem Olajuwon over the summer. But the ceiling? There is no ceiling. He’s the alien we were promised.
The "Forget Me Not" Tier
Basketball fans have short memories. Because the Milwaukee Bucks have struggled a bit (sitting around 17-22 as of mid-January 2026), people are acting like Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't still a monster.
He’s still dropping 29 points and 10 boards while dealing with ankle soreness. When he’s on the floor, he’s still the most physically dominant force since Shaq. If the Bucks make a move at the trade deadline to help him out, don't be surprised if he carries them deep into the playoffs.
Then there’s Anthony Edwards in Minnesota. "Ant-Man" is the heartbeat of the league right now. He’s a quote machine and a highlight factory. While his assists have dipped slightly this year (3.8 APG), his scoring and pure swagger keep the Wolves in the contender conversation. He's the guy you want on a poster.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Rankings
The mistake is thinking these rankings are static. They aren't.
Winning matters. A lot. If Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics to another 60-win season, he climbs. If Tyrese Maxey keeps scoring 30 a night while Joel Embiid manages his "load," Maxey enters the conversation.
We’re also seeing a massive shift in how we value "clutch" play. Players like Cade Cunningham in Detroit are skyrocketing because they're winning games in the fourth quarter. It’s not just about the total points; it’s about when those points happen.
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Actionable Insights for Following the NBA Today
If you really want to understand who the best players are, stop looking at the box score after the game and start watching the "gravity" a player has.
- Watch the off-ball defenders: When Steph Curry or Luka Dončić moves, do three defenders panic and follow? That’s "gravity," and it’s worth more than an extra two points.
- Look at Net Rating: Check how much better a team is when their star is on the floor versus the bench. For guys like Jokic, the difference is usually staggering—often 10 to 15 points per 100 possessions.
- Ignore the "Old vs. New" bias: You don't have to hate LeBron to love Wemby. Appreciate that we’re living through a period where the greatest of all time are playing alongside the future of the sport.
- Track the "Stocks": (Steals + Blocks). In the modern NBA, versatility is king. If a player can't defend multiple positions, they aren't in the "best" conversation, no matter how many points they score.
The 2025-26 season is proving that the league belongs to the versatile. Whether it’s a center who passes like a point guard or a 7-footer who defends like a safety, the traditional "positions" are dead. The best players are just... basketball players. And right now, the talent pool has never been deeper.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the injury returns of Jokic and the trade deadline moves in early February. Those two factors will likely decide who holds the "Best in the World" title when the Finals roll around in June.
NBA Player Performance Comparison (January 2026)
| Player | Team | PPG | RPG | APG | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Dončić | LAL | 33.6 | 7.7 | 8.7 | Leading PPG |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC | 31.6 | 4.4 | 6.3 | 54.5% FG |
| Nikola Jokić | DEN | 29.6 | 12.2 | 11.0 | 16 Triple-Doubles |
| Victor Wembanyama | SAS | 26.2 | 12.9 | 3.5 | 3.6 BLK |
| Tyrese Maxey | PHI | 30.3 | 4.4 | 6.7 | 40.2% 3P |
The race for the top spot is tighter than it’s been in decades. While the scoring numbers look inflated, the skill required to maintain that efficiency is at an all-time high. Keep watching the Western Conference specifically; the power struggle between the Lakers, Thunder, and Nuggets is where the real hierarchy will be settled.
Focus on the impact beyond the highlights. The best players aren't just the ones who end up on your social media feed; they're the ones who make their four teammates look like All-Stars. That is the true mark of greatness in the modern era.