News Summary
The rankings for the best players in the NBA’s Western Conference have been unveiled, showcasing an elite group headed by Nikola Jokic. Other standout players include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, and Luka Dončić. The list highlights the intense competition within the Western Conference, known for producing numerous MVPs. Notably, the Phoenix Suns have no players in the top rankings, and Devin Booker faces scrutiny as he tries to reclaim his all-star status amid team struggles. As the next season approaches, the spotlight is on how these talents will perform.
Los Angeles – The rankings of the top players in the NBA’s Western Conference for the upcoming 2025-26 season have been released, showcasing some of the most formidable talent in the league. The list, dominated by players who have garnered numerous awards and accolades, highlights the competitive nature of the Western Conference, which has produced 13 of the last 16 Kia MVP trophies.
The top ten players for the season are:
- 1. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
- 2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- 3. Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- 4. Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
- 5. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
- 6. Anthony Davis (Dallas Mavericks)
- 7. Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets)
- 8. Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)
- 9. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
- 10. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Leading the pack is Nikola Jokic, who has won three MVP awards since 2021 and continues to perform at an elite level. Following him is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had an impressive season, capturing the scoring title and earning multiple MVP honors. Anthony Edwards is emerging as a superstar, having shown significant improvements in his 3-point shooting and overall game consistency.
Luka Dončić, another superstar, is entering this season under scrutiny regarding his conditioning and defensive capabilities. This comes off a season where he averaged 28.2 points per game, reflecting his offensive prowess. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry, despite experiencing his lowest scoring average in a decade, is still regarded as an effective scorer within the league.
Anthony Davis is recognized for his two-way abilities but continues to face challenges with injuries, which have impacted his performance. Similarly, Kevin Durant remains a high-scoring option and has maintained his abilities even as he ages. Kawhi Leonard is noted for his significant impact on the court when healthy and is respected as one of the league’s elite defenders.
Aging but still formidable, LeBron James continues to produce at a high level, managing to fight off age-related decline. Another player to watch is Victor Wembanyama, who is being recognized as an emerging talent this season, praised for his elite defensive skills.
Interestingly, the Phoenix Suns do not have any players ranked in the top ten, overlooking Devin Booker, who faces the challenge of re-establishing his status following a decline in individual performance. With the recent departures of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Suns are grappling with backcourt challenges and aim to restructure their roster around Booker to return to playoff contention.
Booker’s scoring efficiency dropped last season, which has raised concerns about his all-star status and overall impact on the game. The Suns will be looking to turn around their season with a heightened focus on building a competitive team, particularly as they prepare for challenges ahead.
The high level of talent across the Western Conference makes the ranking of players a challenging task. With stars like James and Curry showing no signs of slowing down despite their lengthy careers, the competition remains fierce. As teams prepare for the next season, all eyes will be on how these players perform and whether they can lead their teams to success.
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Additional Resources
- NBA.com: Ranking 10 Best Players in the Western Conference 2025-26
- Times of India: Nikola Jokic as Undisputed King of the Western Conference
- NBA.com: Offseason Power Rankings West 2025
- ESPN: 2025 NBA Playoffs East & West Conference Finals Takeaways
- Google Search: NBA Western Conference 2025
