With the 2024-25 season set to begin, here is a look at the players expected to make the biggest impact on the league this year. Injury and age could play a factor. Here is a ranking of the top 30 players in the NBA right now.
30. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero, 21, has been a standout performer in his two seasons. The 2022 Rookie of the Year has put up some solid stats, improving his numbers across the board during his second year. In the 2023-24 season, the six-foot-ten forward averaged 22.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 5.4 APG, and had a 45.5 FG% and a 33.9 3P%.
29. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray is a 7-year veteran who can be counted on to deliver in crucial moments. He can play seamlessly off of and hang with the best players in basketball. In the 2023-2024 season, the 27-year-old, six-foot-four point guard averaged 21.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 6.5 APG, with a 48.1 FG% and 42.5 3P%.
28. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Tyrese Maxey is a four-year veteran out of Kentucky who is on his way to superstar status and whose playmaking is making major strides. Maxey is a great 3-point shooter. In the 2023-24 season, the 23-year-old, six-foot-two point guard averaged 25.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 6.2 APG, with a 45.0 FG% and a 37.3 3P%.
27. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
Damian Lillard was the All-Star MVP in 2024 and the Rookie of the Year in 2013. The twelve-year veteran played 11 years with Portland before joining Milwaukee last year. In the 2023-24 season, the 34-year-old, six-foot-three point guard averaged 24.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 7.0 APG, with a 42.4 FG% and a 35.4 3P%.
26. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
Kyrie Irving was the 2012 Rookie of the Year and the All-Star MVP in 2014. The 14-year veteran has spent his last two seasons with Dallas. In the 2023-2024 season, the 32-year-old, six-foot-two point guard averaged 25.6 PPG, 5.2 APG, 5.0 RPG, with a 49.7 FG% and 41.1 3P%. Age hasn’t affected Irving’s combo of speed, control, and clutch play.
25. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Domantas Sabonis has been one of the NBA’s most consistent players, averaging at least 12 rebounds per game in each of the past six seasons. In the 2023-2024 season, the 28-year-old, six-foot-eleven center/power forward averaged 19.4 PPG, 8.2 APG, and 13.7 RPG, with a 59.4 FG% and 37.9 3P%. His 77 double-doubles were the highest single-season total since Moses Malone.
24. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant was the 2020 Rookie of the Year and was named Most Improved Player in 2022. In the 2023-2024 season, the 25-year-old, six-foot-three point guard was limited to only nine games due to surgery on his right shoulder. Nonetheless, Morant averaged 25.1 PPG, 8.1 APG, and 5.6 RPG, with a 47.1 FG% and 27.5 3P%.
23. Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers
Paul George wanted to stay with the Clippers but will begin his 15th season with the 76ers. The 34-year-old is a strong movement shooter who brings positional versatility, which makes him a clutch player. In the 2023-2024 season, the six-foot-eight forward averaged 22.6 PPG, 3.5 APG, and 5.2 RPG, with a 47.1 FG% and 41.3 3P%.
22. De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
In 2023, De’Aaron Fox was named the Clutch Player of the Year, as the 26-year-old excels at getting to his spots, combining his speed and skill to make clutch plays. In the 2023-2024 season, the six-foot-three point guard averaged 26.6 PPG, 5.6 APG, 4.6 RPG, and 2.0 SPG, with a 46.5 FG% and 36.9 3P%.
21. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Duke. The 24-year-old was in great shape in the off-season, recovering from a hamstring injury. During the 2023-2024 season, the six-foot-six power forward averaged 22.9 PPG, 5.0 APG, 5.8 RPG, and 1.1 SPG, with a 57.0 FG% and 33.3 3P%.
20. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Despite never winning Defensive Player of the Year, seven-year veteran Bam Adebayo is one of the strongest on-ball and off-ball defensive players in the league. In the 2023-2024 season, the 27-year-old six-foot-nine center averaged 19.3 PPG, 3.9 APG, 10.4 RPG, and 1.1 SPG, with a 52.1 FG% and 35.7 3P%.
19. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler is a 5x All-NBA team player and was named the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals MVP. The 35-year-old, 14-year veteran remains one of the toughest players in the league. In the 2023-2024 season, the six-foot-seven small forward averaged 20.8 PPG, 5.0 APG, 5.3 RPG, and 1.3 SPG, with a 49.9 FG% and 41.4 3P%.
18. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard remains sidelined indefinitely before the start of the 2024-2025 season due to an injured right knee. Leonard is a 5x All-NBA Team, 2x finals MVP, and the 2020 All-Star MVP. In the 2023-2024 season, the 33-year-old, six-foot-seven small forward averaged 23.7 PPG, 3.6 APG, 6.1 RPG, and 1.6 SPG, with a 52.5 FG% and 41.7 3P%.
17. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
All-NBA Team Tyrese Haliburton is a 5-year veteran who delivered some mind-blowing stats last season before falling off in the second half due to a hamstring injury. In the 2023-2024 season, the 24-year-old, six-foot-five point guard averaged 20.1 PPG, 10.9 APG, 3.9 RPG, and 1.2 SPG, with a 47.7 FG% and 36.4 3P%.
16. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
All-NBA Team Donovan Mitchell is entering his eighth season and is tied with Allen Iverson for the third-most 50-point playoff outings, trailing only Jordan and Chamberlain. In the 2023-2024 season, the 28-year-old, six-foot-three shooting guard averaged 26.6 PPG, 6.1 APG, 5.1 RPG, and 1.8 SPG, with a 46.2 FG% and 36.8 3P%.
15. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Not since Lebron James has a sophomore season been more anticipated than that of 2024 Rookie of the Year and 2023 No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama. In the 2023-2024 season, the 20-year-old, seven-foot-three center averaged 21.4 PPG, 3.9 APG, 10.6 RPG, 3.6 BPG, and 1.2 SPG. Wembanyama had a 46.5 FG% and a 32.5 3P%.
14. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown was both the NBA Eastern Conference Finals and Finals MVP in 2024 and will begin his ninth season with a proven reputation as a clutch player and finisher. In the 2023-2024 season, the 27-year-old, six-foot-six shooting guard averaged 23.0 PPG, 3.6 APG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.2 SPG. Brown had a 49.9 FG% and a 35.4 3P%.
13. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
At times, nine-year veteran and 2x All-NBA Team player Devin Booker has been the Sun’s best shooter and most reliable pick-and-roll ball handler. During the 2023-2024 season, the 27-year-old, six-foot-six shooting guard averaged a near-career-high 27.1 PPG, 6.9 APG, 4.5 RPG, and 0.9 SPG, with a 49.2 FG % and 36.4 3P%.
12. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
With six seasons and All-NBA Team honors under his belt, Jalen Brunson will be someone to watch in the 2024-2025 season with his jumpers and ability to cash in over bigger defenders. During the 2023-2024 season, the 28-year-old, six-foot-two point guard averaged 28.7 PPG, 6.7 APG, 3.6 RPG, and 0.9 SPG, with a 47.9 FG% and 40.1 3P%.
11. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA All-Team Player Anthony Edwards has made a name for himself with his athleticism and on-ball defense. Edwards will start his fifth season in 2024-2025. During the 2023-2024 season, the 23-year-old, six-foot-four shooting guard averaged 25.9 PPG, 5.1 APG, 5.4 RPG, and 1.3 SPG, with a 46.1 FG% and 35.7 3P%.
10. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
There’s little doubt LeBron James may be the GOAT. But like all greats, they are often best understood in eras, and James has 21 seasons under his belt. He may not currently be the best, but he’s among them. During the 2023-2024 season, the 39-year-old, six-foot-nine small forward averaged 25.7 PPG, a .3 APG, 7.3 RPG, and 1.3 SPG, with a 54.0 FG% and 41.0 3P%.
9. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Twelve-year veteran Anthony Davis has more than proven why he was the 2012 No. 1 draft pick, earning accolades such as 2017 All-Star MVP and 5x All-NBA Team. During the 2023-2024 season, the 31-year-old, six-foot-ten power forward averaged 24.7 PPG, 3.5 APG, 12.6 RPG, 2.3 BPG, and 1.2 SPG, with a 55.6 FG% and 27.1 3P%.
8. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
A living legend at age 36, 17-year veteran Kevin Durant continues to deliver. During the 2023-2024 season, the six-foot-eleven power forward averaged 27.1 PPG, 5.0 APG, 6.6 RPG, 1.2 BPG, and 0.9 SPG. Durant had a 52.3 FG% and a 41.3 3P%. Durant is a 1x MVP, 2x All-Star MVP, 2x Finals MVP, and 11x All-NBA Team.
7. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry’s debut in the 2024-2025 season may be slightly delayed due to a finger sprain. But the 36-year-old, 15-year-old veteran and 2024’s Clutch Player of the Year shouldn’t be delayed long. During the 2023-2024 season, the six-foot-three point guard averaged 26.4 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.5 RPG, 0.4 BPG, and 0.7 SPG. Curry had 45.0 FG% and a 40.8 3P%.
6. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum has proved himself a prime finisher, demonstrating strong athleticism and on-ball defense. He’s one of only five players in NBA history who’ve made first-team All-NBA three consecutive seasons by age 25. In the 2023-2024 season, the six-foot-eight small forward averaged 26.9 PPG, 4.9 APG, 8.1 RPG, 0.6 BPG, and 1.0 SPG, with a 47.1 FG% and 37.6 3P%.
5. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Going into the 2024-25 campaign, 1x MVP Joel Embiid is expected to have limitations, including not playing both halves of back-to-back sets and will wear a knee brace. During the 2023-2024 season, the 30-year-old, seven-foot center averaged 34.7 PPG, 5.6 APG, 11 RPG, 1.7 BPG, and 1.2 SPG. Embiid had a 52.9 FG% and a 38.8 3P%.
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
As he begins his seventh season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is surely poised to capture his long-deserved MVP award. The 26-year-old is already assembling a historic career. In the 2023-2024 season, the six-foot-six point guard averaged 30.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, 5.5 RPG, 0.9 BPG, and 2.0 SPG, with a 53.5 FG% and 35.3 3P%.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out part of the preseason for rest, but expect another strong season from the 29-year-old. During the 2023-2024 season, the six-foot-eleven power forward averaged 30.4 PPG, 6.5 APG, 11.5 RPG, 1.1 BPG, and 1.2 SPG, with a 61.1 FG% and 27.4 3P%. Antetokounmpo’s many accolades include 2x MVP, All-Star MVP, Finals MVP, and 6x All NBA Team.
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2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic is nursing a calf injury but fully participated in practice ahead of the 2024-2025 season opener. During the 2023-2024 season, the 25-year-old, six-foot-seven point guard averaged 33.9 PPG, 9.8 APG, 9.2 RPG, 0.5 BPG, and 1.4 SPG, with a 48.7 FG% and 38.2 3P%. Doncic masterly manipulates defenders, is a passing virtuoso, and is a persistent pull-up threat.
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1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic shattered doubts about his supremacy over the summer as the Serbian nearly upset Team USA’s superteam. In the 2023-2024 season, the 29-year-old, seven-foot center averaged 26.4 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 9.0 APG, 0.9 BPG, and 1.4 SPG, with a 58.3 FG% and 35.9 3P%. Jokic’s other accolades include 6x All-NBA Team, Finals MVP, and WC Finals MVP.
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