Look at the standings and you'll see a league that looks nothing like it did two years ago. We are officially in the "post-LeBron as the face" era, even if the guy is still putting up 20-piece nights in Los Angeles. Honestly, the conversation about the top 100 players in the nba right now has become a bit of a headache because the old guard is hanging on by a thread while the "new" superstars—guys like Shai and Luka—are already veteran floor generals.
Right now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is basically the sun that the rest of the NBA orbits. He's coming off a 2025 Finals MVP and is currently the heavy favorite to win his second straight regular-season MVP. He doesn't turn the ball over. He gets to his spots with this weird, rhythmic slither that defenders just can't time. He’s leading a Thunder team that is currently 35-7 and looks absolutely terrifying.
Then you have Nikola Jokić. He’s still the best basketball player on the planet when he’s on the floor, but a "gut-wrenching" knee injury has sidelined him recently. It’s made the MVP race a total mess. Without him, the Denver Nuggets look mortal, which ironically only proves how valuable he is. If he can't hit that 65-game mark required for awards, we might see the first year in a long time where the "best player" doesn't get the hardware.
The current hierarchy: Who actually owns the league?
Luka Dončić is now a Los Angeles Laker. Read that again. It still feels like a fever dream, but he’s currently leading the league in scoring at 33.6 points per game. He's slimmed down, he’s motivated, and he’s basically a one-man offensive engine. If you're looking for the most "unstoppable" player, it's a toss-up between him and Victor Wembanyama.
Wemby is a pterodactyl. There’s no other way to put it. He’s leading the league in blocks, but he’s also bringing the ball up the court and hitting step-back threes like he’s a 7-foot-4 Kevin Durant. He’s already a top-five player in the world, and he hasn't even filled out his frame yet.
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The Top 10 (January 2026 Edition)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): The undisputed king of the 2025-26 season so far.
- Nikola Jokić (DEN): Sitting at No. 2 only because of the injury uncertainty.
- Luka Dončić (LAL): Putting up monster stats in Hollywood.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): Still the most physically dominant force, despite the Bucks' struggles.
- Victor Wembanyama (SAS): The best defensive player in the league, period.
- Cade Cunningham (DET): The biggest riser. Detroit is the 1-seed in the East. Let that sink in.
- Donovan Mitchell (CLE): Elite three-level scoring and has the Cavs looking like contenders.
- Anthony Edwards (MIN): Still the most explosive guard we’ve seen in a decade.
- Tyrese Maxey (PHI): Averaging 30.5 points per game. He’s the engine for the Sixers now.
- Jalen Brunson (NYK): The toughest bucket-getter in the league.
Why the middle of the pack is shifting
The "middle" of the top 100 players in the nba right now is where things get weird. We’re seeing a massive influx of young talent that has pushed former All-Stars down the list. Cooper Flagg, the rookie sensation in Dallas, has already cracked the top 60. He’s playing alongside Anthony Davis, and while he’s still learning the ropes, his defensive instincts are already pro-level.
Then you have the Detroit Pistons. No, seriously. Cade Cunningham is currently second in the league in assists (9.8 APG) and has Jalen Duren looking like an All-Star center. The Pistons are 29-10. It’s the biggest story in the league. Cade has finally developed that elite jump shot everyone was waiting for, and it’s changed everything for Detroit.
Risers and Fallers you should watch
- Amen Thompson (HOU): He’s the league's best rebounder among non-centers. His versatility is basically a cheat code for Ime Udoka.
- Evan Mobley (CLE): The reigning Defensive Player of the Year. He’s finally added a reliable three-pointer to his game, which makes him a nightmare to guard.
- Jrue Holiday (POR): Now in Portland, the age is starting to show. He’s still a great defender, but the offensive consistency has dipped.
- Paul George (PHI): Injuries and age have finally caught up. He’s still a top 50 player, but he’s no longer the "Batman" or even "Robin" on a championship team.
The LeBron and Steph reality check
LeBron James is 41. He’s the "Lion in Winter." Some nights, he’s still the best player on the floor, especially when he’s orchestrating the offense next to Luka. But the "bad nights" are becoming more frequent. He’s currently ranked around the 12-15 range depending on who you ask.
Steph Curry is still a human gravity well. He’s 37 and still warps defenses just by standing on the perimeter. His efficiency has dropped slightly—from "god-tier" to just "really good"—but he’s still the guy you want taking the last shot. He’s currently keeping a young Warriors team afloat in a brutal Western Conference.
How to use these rankings for your own sanity
If you’re a fan or a fantasy manager, don't get married to these numbers. The gap between No. 40 and No. 70 is paper-thin. A guy like Jalen Johnson in Atlanta or Alperen Şengün in Houston could jump twenty spots in a month if their usage goes up.
The real value in tracking the top 100 players in the nba right now isn't just seeing who is No. 1. It’s seeing the shift in style. The league is getting bigger, faster, and more versatile. If you can’t shoot and you can't switch on defense, you’re becoming obsolete.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the "Net Points" stats and advanced efficiency metrics like True Shooting+. Players like Jalen Williams (OKC) and Chet Holmgren are the blueprints for the future—highly efficient, multi-positional, and smart.
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The best way to track these shifts is to watch the second-half surges. We often see younger players like Alex Sarr or Amen Thompson take massive leaps after the All-Star break once they've adjusted to the NBA grind. Watch the "games played" column closely as we head into February; with the 65-game rule in effect, the All-NBA teams might look very different from the actual list of the best 15 players.
Next Steps for NBA Fans:
- Check the MVP Ladder weekly: With Jokić out, the odds are shifting daily between Shai and Luka.
- Watch Detroit: If you haven't watched a Pistons game in three years, now is the time. Cade Cunningham is playing "must-see" basketball.
- Monitor Injury Reports: The 65-game rule is going to disqualify at least two or three "top ten" players from postseason honors this year.