Top NBA Players in 2025-2026 Part 1. #30-21

As I have laid out in the past, the list is comprised of a couple of different measurements, which include spreadsheet numbers, eye test, and awards. There's no percentage of each of these taken into account, as it is my personal opinion, with some data to back up my claims and help my argument. If you have an issue with the list, we can discuss it, or you can make your own list; it's that simple. 

Honorable Mentions 

As challenging as a list it is to make, which is why I generally do tiers, and the way all lists should be done, but this is how I want to do it for some NBA discourse. It is always tough to leave guys off a list, so here's who almost made the cut for me. These players are not in order, but ones I took careful consideration for before making some difficult choices. 

- Derrick White

- Damian Lillard

- James Harden 

- Trae Young 

- Jaren Jackson Jr. 

- Domantas Sabonis 

- Julius Randle 

- Zion Williamson 

- De'Aaron Fox

- Chet Holmgren 

- Darius Garland

- Ja Morant 

- Jamal Murray

Now to present part 1 of the top 30 NBA players heading into the 2025-2026 season with numbers 30 through 21. 

30. Franz Wagner (Prev. N/R)

This past season for Wagner was not great in terms of how we would've wanted it to go personally. He dealt with various injuries, such as an oblique that kept him out for 20+ games and forced him to miss out on regular-season awards and the All-Star game. Wagner averaged career-highs across the board in points, assists, rebounds, and steals. While the shooting percentages decreased, that could have been the cause of increased attention from defenses while Paolo Banchero was hurt. Wagner did all of this while playing exceptional defense as well. The shooting from 3 is negative currently, but I' confident in his ability to figure out the shot. A guy with two-way versatility is always nice in the NBA. 

29. Jimmy Butler (Prev.  22)

Butler comes in at 29 on the list, a little below where he was last year. This is partly due to the lackluster regular-season performance he put forward, but when he was traded to the Warriors, he seemed like the All-NBA player that willed an 8-seeded Heat team to the finals in 2023.  Butler's postseason expectations are high now that he's been titled as a "playoff riser", but there were points throughout the postseason where he struggled, particularly in the Minnesota series. Sure, he did have the patterned Jimmy Butler game in the series, but still falling short, amidst needing to win just 1 game for Curry to come back from injury doesn't help. He's likely removed from competing for an All-NBA team and All-Star due to health and his lack of care for the regular season, but he still shows his importance to a team in the postseason. 

28. Alperen Sengun (Prev. N/R)

Making his debut in the top 30 on this list is the Houston center. Sengun is coming off a year in which he earned All-Star honors for being the best player on the 2nd-seeded Rockets team. Yes, his points per game and shooting percentages were down compared to last season, but the defense and playmaking for still there and have both improved. With almost zero spacing, Sengun was able to dish out 5 assists a game and anchor the 2nd best defense in the league. His ability to switch and play drop coverage on ball screens was a significant factor in helping many of the guards on Houston press into the passing lanes, and Sengun also had his best year defending the rim. Sengun also allowed a 37.1% defensive shooting percentage in the playoffs as well. He's becoming a complete player for the Rockets. 

27. Evan Mobley (Prev. N/R)

Mobley makes his debut as well on the list as he took home 2nd team All-NBA, an All-Star appearance, and defensive player of the year honors. Mobley showed his ability to defend this year as well as ever in his young NBA career, but the offense is really what impressed me this season. Mobley showed a level of nastiness in bullying defenders with contact that may have bothered him in the seasons past. He shot a career-high from 3 range on double the attempts he's taken in his career and improved his 2-point % as well. Mobley also registered a career-high in assists this season. Mobley's improvement saw the Cavs skyrocket to the number 1 overall seed in the East and showed that when he is the second-best player for their team, they are extremely difficult to beat. 

26. Tyrese Maxey (Prev. 24)

Maxey gets into my top 30 list again this season due to the workload he needed to carry for the 76ers and the overall shot creation and making he displayed as the lead guard for the struggling 76ers this past season. The 2024 Most Improved Player saw him slightly increase his points per game, but the shooting percentages dipped a little in the process. Still, I think Maxey is one of the best scoring guards in the NBA with his speed and change of direction with his handle. Maxey showed an ability to get to any spot he wanted on the floor. He proved he can be a number 1 scoring option without Embiid and still generate some playmaking ability as well. He still averaged a career-high 6 assists as well this season. 

25. Amen Thompson (Prev. N/R)

At 25 is likely the most controversial player to make the list, not in the top 10. You guys always have a problem with the top 10, but at 25 is Amen Thompson. Thompson is another individual responsible for the unbelievable turnaround in Houston this past season, and I think he is just so damn good. He is an electric player in the open floor with his athleticism and speed. He will dunk on anyone at the rim, and he is likely the best perimeter defender in the NBA currently as a second-year player. Sure, maybe the offensive shooting will never turn out, but we don't even know that yet. Thompson still generated 14 points per game, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.3 steals in only 32 minutes of a game. He's the most important player for Houston, and it's not close. 

24. Kyrie Irving (Prev. 21)

Irving is a tough guy to rank on this list due to his current injury of a torn ACL. However, he's still one of the best 2nd option scoring the basketball in the NBA. Irving played in only 50 games this past season, but still earned All-Star status as he put in an efficient 25 points per game on 50-40-90 shooting. He's the hallmark of skill in the NBA due to his handle, finishing ability, and ability to create space in any situation. Irving has also become a better defender, and he gets credit for this, especially this past season. Many times, he's had to take on some difficult assignments and done more than his fair share of work on that end. Hopefully, he'll recover well for this upcoming season. 

23. Pascal Siakam (Prev. N/R)

The reigning Eastern Conference MVP makes his way to the 23rd overall spot on the list, in Pascal Siakam. Siakam proved he's a worthy co-star throughout the Pacers' postseason run this past year. Siakam posted 20 points and 7 rebounds a game on 51-38-73 shooting splits in the regular season and continued his regular-season performance into the postseason. His monster game 2 against the Knicks firmly put the Pacers in position to win the Eastern Conference and allowed him to be the MVP. Siakam offered a lot of versatility as he was in both big and small lineups for the Pacers throughout the postseason. 

22. Karl-Anthony Towns (Prev. N/R)

Big Purrr is the name, and Towns showed his game can live up to the bright lights of New York. After an offseason trade that sent him to the Knicks from the Timberwolves, Towns posted his most efficient scoring season so far in his career. His 52-42-83 shooting splits saw him average a comfortable 24 points per game while grabbing a career-high 13 rebounds a game as well. His game 3 performance against the Pistons sticks out in my mind as he had the final 5 points of the game to hand the Knicks an important win, along with hitting a pair of tough go-ahead shots in the closing minute. KAT is imperfect as he struggles on defense, and it was very noticeable at times that he annoyed former coach Tom Thibodeau with his decision-making and effort at times, but his versatility for a 5-out offense saw the Knicks' regular season light up the scoreboard at times. 

21. Cade Cunningham (Prev. N/R)

Cunningham was a close cut last season on a list I really wanted to put him on. Fast forward a year, and it's almost impossible to keep Cunningham off this list.  Cunningham improved his efficiency and counting numbers in every category this past season, earning him his first All-Star selection and making 3rd team All-NBA this past season. Cunningham averaged 26-9-6 on 45-35-84 shooting splits this past season, while having a usage percentage of 32.3% this past season. Cunnigham also proved this in the playoffs, as the Knicks, except for OG Anunoby, had all sorts of trouble defending him. He wasn't as efficient as he was in the regular season, but finding a way to grind out 25 points per game is a good first postseason showing. Finding an improved way to draw fouls and cut down on turnovers will be the next step for Cunningham to improve. Look for Cunningham to be on more All-NBA teams in the future.