Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets centre, has topped the list of the NBA's 100 best players for 2026 with 694 points. He edged out San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama (693 points) by the slimmest of margins, with Oklahoma City Thunder talisman Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (691 points) just behind. The new rankings drew sharp reactions from players. Josh Hart, a champion with the New York Knicks who was placed 89th, took to social media to write, tongue firmly in cheek, that the voters always get it wrong and that he deserved no lower than 88th.
The top ten saw significant movement. Luka Doncic cemented his place in fourth, while Giannis Antetokounmpo sits fifth following his trade to the Miami Heat. LeBron James, a legend of the game, slipped to 18th. Elsewhere among the elite, Jayson Tatum is ninth, and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell rounds out the top ten. Tellingly, four rookies made the list, with AJ Dybantsa the highest-ranked newcomer at 78th.
