NBA Season Preview 2025-2026 Part 2

 My last post about this upcoming season of NBA basketball was supposed to include an analysis of my top ten players, but breaking down each team thoroughly took up a lot of page and a lot of time. So I decided to continue my original thoughts for yesterday's post in today's daily blog. Let's take a look at my top ten players going into this season.

Disqualified due to injuries: Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard

Jayson Tatum probably would have rounded out my top ten in some capacity, but popping his Achilles in the Eastern Conference Finals of last season has him missing at least the first half of this season. He's dropped hints in interviews that he's hopeful for a return at some point this season, but as I wrote in my breakdown of the Celtics' chances next season, I don't expect them to be competing and therefore doubt he would return at all.

After the magic of last season's playoff run, Tyrese Haliburton definitely warranted some sort of consideration for one of the best players in the league, but he also tore his Achilles and will be out for the season. I juggle in my mind constantly if Tyrese really is that good or if he's a system quarterback- numbers that are inflated due to the offense Coach Rick Carlisle has him running. Those clutch shots he hit speak for themselves- luckily for me I've got some time before he's back on the court to figure out my stance on him.

Kyrie and Damian were very likely not going to be in my top ten at all, I just felt like mentioning them because of their reputations as great ball players. I look forward to what Dallas will look like when Kyrie gets back- if most of this season's roster is retained. In Dame's case, it doesn't really matter for NBA fans who he suits up next to, just seeing him back in the black and red Blazers uniform will be awesome.

Honorable mentions: Joel Embiid, Jalen Brunson, Jaylen Brown

We all know how impactful Joel Embiid is when healthy. Unfortunately, we don't always know when he's going to play because he's often not healthy. If Joel comes out looking like his 2023 self then he is absolutely a top ten guy in the league. Sources around the league are already grumbling about him still not being right, and so I've got him some where between 11-15 instead.

Jalen Brunson was an MVP candidate last season! How can I not have him top ten? Jalen's playoff run was awesome and he solidified himself in my eyes as a perennial superstar. But the league is deep, and the "old guard" I mentioned in my last post still have a stranglehold on the NBA. If Brunson keeps up this production and continues with deep post-season runs, there will no longer be a debate about his spot among the league's best. For now, there still is divided opinions of him, and I'm on the side of having him in the teen rankings rather than in the top 10.

This is a huge season for Jaylen Brown. The guy who won both the Eastern Conference MVP and the Finals MVP two seasons ago now has a team with no clear running mate, allowing him to be the alpha he has never had a chance to be. Tatum's injury does bring uncertainty to the team, but also opportunity. Right now I have Jaylen just outside the top 10, but if he makes the most of this "retool" season Boston's facing, he could have a case as one of the best.

#10 - #7, "Remnants of a Bygone Era": These are guys who are still the best of the best, and although their stats might not always reflect it, impact the game in massive ways.

#10: Kawhi Leonard

Like Joel Embiid, Kawhi's participation is a huge factor for his team. However, last season he was present enough to play an entire first round series, a grueling seven game series at that, and performed well- he carried the Clippers to almost upset the Nuggets. I still think Kawhi has a lot left in the tank, and with a deeper team than he's ever had, I expect him to be able to cruise through the regular season and remind everyone why he is one of the best players int he league.

#9: Kevin Durant

Arguably the greatest scorer of all time, Durant's strength is easily plugged into any team. Just get him on the court and points will be added. Houston needed this and went out and got him, making the Rockets a favorite in a lot of people's eyes. With a team around him taking on the task of defending, hustling, and rebounding, I expect Durant to have an easier time than he did in Phoenix making his mark on games. The Rockets were the two seed last season without him, can his offense push them even higher? His timeless ability to shoot over any defense might just be what Houston needed.

#8: Steph Curry

Yes, the Warriors added Jimmy Butler last season and Al Horford this season- two veterans and former All-Stars that help them compete- but we all know their chances reside on one guy's shoulders: Steph. Steph is the motor for Golden State's offense, and as we saw when he went down in the second round with a hamstring injury, without him they will not go far. He still has the greatest shooting touch we've ever seen, and in his more experienced years has added strength he didn't have in his twenties. As long as he continues to have intelligent teammates around him to run Coach Steve Kerr's system, he will remain a top player for years to come.

#7: LeBron James

The years of LeBron guarding the other team's best player AND scoring points AND running the offense and creating for others EVERY GAME are now passed. Partially out of necessity, as he enters his 23rd season he just does not have the full tank to do it as often as he once could. Part of it is he no longer needs to- he's partnered with one of the young best talents in the league that should be entering his prime soon, and just happens to have a lot of overlap to his offensive game. That being said, LeBron STILL somehow impacts the game on both ends more-so than even some of the statistical leaders in the league. James has claimed he won't play until the wheels fall off, and since he's suiting up this season- I don't expect to see any dip from last season.

#6 - #3,"New Generation of Stars": These guys all could have a claim at the greatest in the world on any given night, but since none have even reached their peak yet, they still sit outside the top two on my list.

#6: Victor Wembanyama

Wemby missed a huge portion of last season due to blood clots in his shoulder. Victor is a guy we all expect to grow into an all-time great, and missing last season just postponed the inevitable. At his young age to already be the sixth best player in the league is insane- but it is reality. Expect Victor to make a huge leap from the last time you saw him and possibly carry the Spurs to a post-season appearance.

#5: Anthony Edwards

If you read my post yesterday, you know how high I am on Anthony Edwards. He has the athleticism to finish at the rim, create for himself and others, and shoot over most defenders. He has the "dawg" in him to play hard on defense, and takes pride in facing off against the other team's best perimeter player. If he were a few inches taller we could call him this generation's iteration of Jordan or Kobe- either way he's a box office talent who's sheer competitive nature should scare the rest of the league. It's only a matter of time before he's at the top.

#4: Luka Doncic

My favorite player in the league, Luka is expected to have a big season now that he's slimmed down this summer. He's only a full calendar year-and-a-half removed from leading a team out of the Western Conference to the Finals as a 25 year old, leading all playoff participants in points, assists, and rebounds. Last season he dealt with injuries stemming from playing hurt in the previous season's long playoff run. Then he was backstabbed by his own team- blindsided and traded in the middle of the night away from the only American city he had called home by the same front office he had just carried to their first Finals appearance in thirteen years. The remainder of his season was rough- with a mix of figuring out his teammates, dealing with the aftershock of the seismic move to a new team, and still getting back into shape and healthy after dealing with the aforementioned hampering. He looks like he's over the bad break up, and he's gotten rid of his dad bod. Expect to see him light the league on fire.

#3: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Reigning champion and MVP, Shai should be number one, right? As previously stated- the league is deeper than it has ever been. Shai has the best team around him and is the head of the best three-headed monster in the league. He at times seems un-guardable on offense and is part of a stifling defense. I expect another great season from Shai and the Thunder, but the eye test doesn't lie about who the best and most impactful players in the league are.

#2 - #1, "Superstars in their Prime": These guys are at the top of their game and are the best on the court night in and night out.

#2: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Basketball is a team sport. The talent of the teammates that surround you are important. The skill set each person brings to the court must fit. Unfortunately, there's a lot of mixing and not a lot of matching for the Bucks roster this year. There's not a lot of a top level talent either, other than Giannis. They did add Myles Turner, the fourth best player on last season's Finals runner-up. Can Giannis win with his running mate was the fourth best player on his last team? At least he is one of the few teammates that should fit with the Greek Freak. No matter who's lacing up, Giannis is going to give you everything he's got on both ends of the floor night in and night out, and that's why he's number two on my list. If only he had the roster around him to truly make a splash in the playoffs.

#1: Nikola Jokic

No surprise here, the Joker is the best player in the NBA. Jokic solidified his status for me after his 2023 Finals run. There were- and continue to be- just too many box score dominations, too many big game wins, too many playoff moments. What he lacks in defense, he makes up for in all aspects of offense. The best passer in the league, can also post you up at a high-efficiency, and will also shoot from anywhere on the perimeter if you need him to. Last season, he didn't have all the pieces he needed to really succeed, and he STILL almost beat the eventual champions. This season, the roster's been fine-tuned to help him contend for a title, so expect him to have another big season.

Thanks for reading! I would love to hear any feedback you have on my list- did I get it right? Why am I wrong? Let me know in the comments and stay tuned for more.