The NBA has found itself in the annual position where an age-old debate re-emerges: who is the best player in the world right now? With a league brimming with exceptional talent, from rising stars to seasoned champions, this question sparks endless discussions among fans, analysts, and players alike. Each season brings new feats of athleticism, skill, and resilience, making it increasingly challenging to crown a definitive king of the court.
5. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Drafted first overall in the 2023 NBA draft, Victor Wembanyama entered the league with considerable hype. Now a year and a half later, the 7-foot-3 center has silenced his critics by averaging an impressive 25.2 points in his sophomore season. The prospect has already recorded seven games with 30 or more points in the 2024-25 season, a number that is likely to rise before the regular season concludes in April. With many San Antonio fans viewing Wembanyama as the heir to the legendary Tim Duncan, the future looks exceedingly bright for this exceptional young talent, as he looks to bring home San Antonio’s first championship since 2014.
4. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
To the surprise of a few NBA fans, the reigning champion has dominated the 2024-25 NBA season. Tatum, drafted third overall in 2017 by Boston in a trade with Philadelphia, has become a force to be reckoned with. Eight years later, many in Philadelphia likely regret that decision. Since 2020, Tatum has consistently averaged over 25 points per game, captivating fans with his dynamic offense and tenacious defense. In 2024, his years of hard work and determination led to Boston’s successful championship run. With many years still ahead in his career, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Tatum continue to add to his already impressive list of accomplishments.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
At the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, it was challenging for fans to find many positive things to say about Milwaukee. However, amidst the team’s struggles, one star stood out. Drafted as the fifteenth pick in 2013, Giannis Antetokounmpo was not an overnight sensation. Though he had raw skills that needed development, he remained largely under the radar for several years. His breakout came in 2018 when he stormed through the league with an aggressive playing style. This culminated in the 2021 NBA finals, where he led the Bucks to victory and earned finals MVP honors. With two league MVP awards from 2019 and 2020 and the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year title under his belt, it wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone if the league’s top dunker is poised to make another run at the 2025 NBA finals.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
While many players in the NBA make compelling cases, few can rival the achievements of the eleventh overall pick of the 2018 NBA draft and now one of the league’s top scorers in the 2024-25 season. Fresh off representing Canada in the Olympics, Alexander entered the season with high expectations and has impressively exceeded them as January approached. While currently averaging a career-high 31.4 points per game, and alongside a talented Oklahoma City roster, he has propelled the team to the top of the Western Conference. With a strong showing in the NBA in-season tournament finals already under their belt, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them replicate that success in the NBA finals this year, only this time, they’ll be hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy.
1. Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
It’s hard to find an NBA fan who would dispute Nikola Jokic’s remarkable success this season. Drafted as the 41st pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, few expected much from the 6-foot-11 center. Fast forward over a decade, and with an NBA Finals victory and Finals MVP award to his name, Jokic is now regarded as one of the league’s most dominant players in history. It’s difficult to argue otherwise, especially as he’s posting career highs in nearly every statistical category. At just 29 years old, we can anticipate at least another decade of dominance from one of the NBA’s most versatile players of all time. What many want to know is with Denver having a down year, will Jokic be able to rise above the rest to once again be called NBA champion?