N.B.: Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, DeJounte Murray, and Fred VanVleet are not included in this edition of the Top 100 due to serious injuries that cast a shadow over their seasons.
20 - Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) - Down 15 places
Perhaps the most difficult player to rank. On talent, he's a top-five player and an MVP candidate without a doubt. But the injuries that define his career are always a dark cloud when it comes to ranking.
His health being good right now is reassuring for the start of the season, but it was also reassuring in 2024, and that one was botched. Will Embiid continue to decline or return to prime form? Difficult to answer...
2024/2025 stats: 23.8 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game (19 games)
Target for 2025/2026: 30.0 points per game, MVP candidate
19 - Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) - Down 5 places
His reputation has undoubtedly taken a hit coming off a brutal season for the Suns. Now that Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are gone, he's back in charge.
Individually, we should see what we've seen for several years, and even a logical increase given the departures. Collectively, it's a different story, and that's what's going to define his year ahead...
2024/2025 stats: 25.6 points per game, 7.1 assists per game
Target for 2025/2026: 28.0 points per game, 9.0 assists per game, All-NBA Team candidate
18 - Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings) - Same placement
Unquestionably, the best rebounder in the NBA today. But we'll always expect more from a player with a fair amount of game intelligence.
What's more, the Lithuanian has to help his team, which is still stuck in the doldrums of the dreaded Western Conference, despite having an interesting squad on paper.
At this stage of his career, we no longer doubt his production - but his leadership.
2024/2025 stats: 19.1 points per game, 13.9 rebounds per game, 6.0 assists per game
Target for 2025/2026: 20.0 points per game, 15.0 rebounds per game, 8.0 assists per game
17 - Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) - Up five places
No doubt the NBA's best passing guard. But this season, his leadership will also be put to the test.
Atlanta has one of the most competitive squads in the conference and, on paper, it's going to take a leader to take the Hawks to the top after several depressing seasons, given their potential.
Will Ice Trae be that leader? It's doubtful, but we're willing to bet on it.
2024/2025 stats: 24.2 points per game, 11.6 assists per game
Target for 2025/2026: 27.0 points per game, 12.0 assists per game, Eastern Conference Finals
16 - Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers) - Up 25 places
Mobley hit multiple milestones last year in terms of production, earning his first All-Star selection, and of course, his Defensive Player of the Year award.
We've seen glimpses of his true potential over the past few season, but this year we expect Mobley to reach a new peak.
The Cavaliers have big ambitions, and they can only achieve them if he becomes the best two-way inside player in the NBA - no more, no less.
2024/2025 stats: 18.5 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game
Target for 2025/2026: 27.0 points per game, 12.0 assists per game, Eastern Conference Finals
15 - Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons) - Up 21 places
Everyone thinks of Detroit as one of the darlings of the season. Probably because their No. 1 draft pick finally showed the full extent of his talent to the point where he was considered a Most Improved Player for a long time.
Nonetheless, he is clearly not at his best and needs to take his team to the next level. For someone expected to be a star, that's the minimum.
2024/2025 stats: 26.1 points per game, 9.1 assists per game
Target for 2025/2026: 30.0 points per game, 10.0 assists, NBA Playoffs second round
14 - Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets) - Up 23 places
Improving year after year, he's coming off an absolutely sensational Euro that ended with a silver medal. And he obviously knows how to work with a team to go even higher.
And just as well, with the arrival of Kevin Durant, Houston has very lofty ambitions, and will need its Turkish pivot to play a facilitating role. But he'll still need to take things to the next level offensively.
2024/2025 stats: 19.1 points per game, 10.3 rebounds per game, 4.9 assists per game
Target for 2025/2026: 22.0 points per game, 12.0 rebounds per game, 7.0 assists per game, Western Conference Finals
13 - LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) - Down four places
We had a good laugh (or not) with his recent commercial. Unfortunately, he won't be starting his season until November due to his sciatica diagnosis. A 23rd season in which he should once again be what he has always been, but in the end, the stats don't really matter anymore.
We imagine he's playing for one last title, and with Luka Doncic, it will all only make sense if the Lakers are truly contenders.
Can they do it?
Stats 2024/2025: 24.4 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 8.2 assists per game
Target for 2025/2026: 25.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists, Western Conference Finals
12 - Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks) - Up 26 places
Adding the former Wolves big man to an already strong squad was the solution to take the Knicks to the next level. On paper, that's the case, with New York back in the conference finals last season.
With a slight taste of unfinished business, this season must be the one, but KAT will undoubtedly have a big responsibility. Even if he's the No. 2, he has to play like a No. 1.
Otherwise, title dreams will have to wait.
2024/2025 stats: 24.4 points per game, 12.8 rebounds per game
Target for 2025/2026: 27.0 points per game, 13.0 rebounds per game
11 - Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics) - Up two places
Like others before them, the Celtics have failed to retain their title, and have also lost Jayson Tatum for the upcoming season. The other 'JayBro' will now carry the weight of his franchise on his shoulders.
No longer will he have to share the leadership; he will have a free hand in a franchise with de facto lowered expectations.
There's no doubt that individually and statistically, he'll have a very big season. But collectively, that's where the doubt remains. However, we're betting he'll be up to the task.
2024/2025 stats: 22.2 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game
Target for 2025/2026: 28.0 points per game, All-NBA Team candidate