As we get closer to the 2025-26 NBA season, certain players aren’t just expected to excel; they’re primed to redefine their positions. We’re spotlighting the game-changers who have the skills, momentum, and talent to make the upcoming season a very special one.
Let’s get real: the point guard spot is locked down by the newly crowned MVP and Finals hero who just delivered OKC its championship (ahem, ahem, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander). At shooting guard, there’s no cooler dunker-and-deep-threat combo than Anthony Edwards, but who is challenging these players? Has any player proven to be more talented than three-time MVP Nikola Jokic?
Enough questions, let's rank the five most talented NBA players at each position as we get closer to the 2025-26 NBA season.
Point Guards
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2. Luka Doncic
3. Stephen Curry
4. Ja Morant
5. Cade Cunningham
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just the most talented point guard in the NBA; he’s the NBA’s new main man. His 2024-25 campaign saw him claim MVP honors, Finals MVP, and the scoring title, averaging a league-best 32.7 points on an eye-popping 51.9% from the floor, while also delivering 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. The Thunder’s franchise cornerstone capped that historic season with a dominant title run and a massive extension that makes him the highest-paid player in league history, an ascent that reads like a legend in motion.
Next, dare we call him a generational talent? With his new Lakers gig secured by a blockbuster extension, Luka Doncic enters 2025-26 as the most talented player on the team. He averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists over 50 games in 2024-25, efficiency and flair rolled into one superstar package. Very few players are as naturally gifted as Luka is right now, because he can literally lead the NBA in PPG or APG if he wanted to.
Even as he nears his late 30s, Stephen Curry still dominates the court with his superstar shooting talent. In 2024-25, he posted 24.5 PPG and remains one of the most lethal marksmen the league has ever seen. The defender you once doubled, or triple-teamed, still makes you pay from anywhere beyond half-court. Experience, gravity, and that deadly release: the talent still commands respect.
Ja Morant is a bundle of talent, and it is a shame he isn't reaching his potential due to off-court concerns and injuries. Morant can become the face of the NBA if he wants to because he blends inhuman athleticism with a ferocious desire to finish at the rim. If Morant is healthy, focused, and nailing jumpers, he might even rank number one.
Still on the rise with much more to come, Cade Cunningham blends size, vision, and sweet floater range like few can at his age. Even when he put up superstar and MVP-caliber numbers, he’s carving his name among the game’s next generation of elite playmakers because he is a perfect floor general.
Shooting Guards
1. Anthony Edwards
2. Devin Booker
3. Donovan Mitchell
4. Jalen Williams
5. Amen Thompson
At just 24, Anthony Edwards already ranks among the NBA’s fiercest scoring talents. He led the league in three-pointers made during the 2024-25 season and boasts a killer combination of raw power, explosiveness, and an ever-improving perimeter game. His offensive versatility, from isolations to transition to pick-and-rolls, paired with his elite finishing and playmaking, has defenses scrambling and propelled him into All-NBA conversations.
Devin Booker stands as the Suns’ undeniable scoring nucleus. He became Phoenix’s all-time leading scorer in early 2025 and logged multiple 40-point showings, including a robust 47-point explosion on Halloween. A four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, his silky jumper, clutch scoring, and improved leadership mean his talent is unquestionable.
Donovan Mitchell remains one of the league’s most explosive and consistent perimeter threats, now cemented as a six-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA pick, and delivering Cleveland’s best record campaign in the Eastern Conference in 2025. He blends volume scoring with efficient shot-making, combining agility, craftiness, and postseason punch that make him a go-to option in pressure situations. While his natural talent isn't as high as that of Edwards or Booker's, he is still an elite player.
Jalen Williams made his ascension official in 2024-25, averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game over 69 appearances, earning his first All-Star nod, an All-NBA Third Team selection, and a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team. In the Finals, he erupted for a career-high 40 points in Game 5, and his talent as a co-star and all-around player cannot be denied.
A budding two-way powerhouse, Amen Thompson averaged a well-rounded 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game in the 2024-25 season, and earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors, highlighting his impact far beyond the stat sheet. His defensive versatility and elite athleticism have earned high praise, and once he gets a jumpshot, we could be looking at a top-10 player in the NBA.
Small Forwards
1. LeBron James
2. Kawhi Leonard
3. Jaylen Brown
4. Franz Wagner
5. Brandon Ingram
At 40, LeBron James continues to defy age, earning his 21st All-NBA selection in the 2024-25 season, and his talent is still first at his position and top-five all-time. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game for the Los Angeles Lakers, and we already know what to expect from The King. His leadership and versatility remain unmatched, solidifying his place as the most talented small forward in the league.
Kawhi Leonard's elite two-way play was on full display in the 2024-25 season, even in limited minutes. Still, we can't deny his talent. When healthy, Leonard can easily showcase his scoring prowess and defensive capabilities. Very few players can lock any player defensively and create their own shot with ease like Leonard can.
Jaylen Brown had a solid season in 2024-25, earning another All-Star selection as an athletic phenom with improved all-around ability. He averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, playing a pivotal role in the Boston Celtics' season. Brown's improved shooting efficiency and defensive tenacity have solidified his status as one of the most talented wings in the league.
Franz Wagner might fly under the radar, but his talent is truly impressive. He averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, demonstrating his scoring and playmaking abilities. Wagner's versatility as a 6'10" wing who can attack the paint, shoot the ball, and defend means he deserves his spot.
Brandon Ingram is a very talented offensive threat since he doesn't really have a weakness. He averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, showcasing his scoring and playmaking skills at 6'8" with lanky arms. Ingram's ability to create his own shot and contribute across multiple facets of the game keeps him in the conversation for the most talented wings.
Power Forwards
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
2. Kevin Durant
3. Paolo Banchero
4. Pascal Siakam
5. Scottie Barnes
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the NBA's most dominant two-way force and the most talented power forward when looking at what he does on both ends of the court. His all-around excellence earned him All-NBA First Team honors and solidified his status as the league's top power forward. Whether facilitating offense or anchoring defense, Giannis's versatility and relentless energy make him a one-of-a-kind talent.
Kevin Durant continues to defy age, delivering elite scoring and efficiency. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, despite playing on a bad team. Durant's ability to dominate both ends of the floor keeps him among the league's premier power forwards, and he is still the most talented offensive player in the league.
Paolo Banchero is a bona fide franchise star, and his scoring ability at his size is to be marveled at. He averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, showcasing his scoring and playmaking abilities. Banchero's combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ positions him as a top-three talent at his position.
Pascal Siakam remains a versatile and dynamic presence when looking at what he brings as a power forward. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, and did it while handling the ball and also running on the break. Siakam's ability to impact the game in multiple facets means he is truly a top-five talent at the power forward spot.
Scottie Barnes emerged as a leader for the Toronto Raptors in the 2024-25 season, and his talent comes in the form of all-around play, including playmaking. He averaged 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, showcasing his all-around game. Barnes's defensive prowess and playmaking ability make him a truly unique talent at the power forward position.
Centers
1. Nikola Jokic
2. Victor Wembanyama
3. Anthony Davis
4. Karl-Anthony Towns
5. Domantas Sabonis
Nikola Jokic completely redefines the center position with his exceptional playmaking and scoring ability. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged a triple-double (29.6 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 10.2 APG), the first big man to ever accomplish this. Jokic's basketball IQ and versatility make him the premier center in the league and arguably the most dominant player in the world. Quite frankly, the Serbian is one of the most talented players of all time.
Victor Wembanyama's season was nothing short of spectacular, earning him a spot in the All-Star game, before blood clots in his shoulder robbed him of the Defensive Player of the Year trophy. He averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game, showcasing his shot-blocking and rebounding prowess. Wembanyama's unique combination of size and skill positions him as one of the most talented bigs in NBA history, already.
Anthony Davis remains a dominant force on both ends of the floor, and his talent can't be questioned. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game as a dominant force on both ends. Davis's defensive versatility and scoring ability make him one of the top talents in the league.
Karl-Anthony Towns continues to be one of the most skilled big men in the NBA. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, showcasing his scoring and playmaking abilities. Towns's ability to stretch the floor (42.0% 3-PT FG) and impact the game in multiple ways solidifies his place among the most talented centers.
Domantas Sabonis remains a triple-double threat every time he steps on the court. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game, leading the Sacramento Kings with raw versatility inside the paint. Sabonis's unique skill set and basketball IQ mean his talent is enough to place him among the top five.
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