ESPN has announced the top 10 NBA players ahead of the new season, including LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Joel Embiid, the current MVP.
Despite being the oldest player in the NBA at this point, LeBron James has been rated as one of the top ten players in the league.
Despite entering his 21st season in the league, the Los Angeles Lakers star is still performing at a high level, averaging 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven rebounds per game. With the Lakers reaching the western conference finals and Anthony Davis having a standout season, James has been ranked as the league’s ninth best player, with Davis coming in at number 10.
Joel Embiid has only been ranked third in other places.
Jayson Tatum, a small forward for the Boston Celtics, is still on the list despite witnessing his teammate Jaylen Brown sign the most expensive contract in NBA history earlier this summer; Tatum will probably sign the same deal next summer.
Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks), and Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers) are some of the players who narrowly missed the top 10.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, two LA Clippers stars who have struggled with injuries in recent seasons, have both been ranked outside the top 15.
Prior to the start of the new season on October 24, here are ESPN’s top 10 lists, ranked.
ESPN’s Top 10 NBA players
1) Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
2) Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
3) Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
4) Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
5) Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
6) Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
7) Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
9) LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
10) Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)