Tier list

NBA Players 2026 Tier List: Ranking the Best in the League

By Rank Parade Team · Updated October 4, 2026 · 32 ranked

Heading into the 2026 season, the NBA's talent pool is stacked in a way that makes arguments inevitable. We took all 32 of the names everyone's debating, the MVPs, the max-contract wings, the rising stars who might be a year away from the top, and sorted them into tiers based on where the actual conversation lands.

This isn't a vibes-based list. It leans on what fans and analysts keep circling back to: two-way impact, playoff performance, and whether a guy actually swings winning. You won't agree with all of it. Good. Scroll down, get mad, and rank it yourself.

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SS Tier: The unquestionable best

Nikola Jokić

Three-time MVP and still the best offensive hub in basketball, a guy who leads the league in assists from the center spot like it's normal. Nobody else makes a Denver roster look like the deepest team in the league just by standing at the elbow.

About Nikola Jokić

Serbian center for the Denver Nuggets, widely considered one of the greatest offensive big men in NBA history. Known for his elite passing from the center position and triple-double production.

Team: Denver Nuggets
MVP Awards: 3-time

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The reigning MVP and Finals MVP, and the most unguardable midrange scorer in the sport right now. OKC's whole identity runs through his footwork and his ability to get to the free throw line at will.

About Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Canadian guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA MVP and Finals MVP. Known for his shifty footwork and elite free-throw drawing ability.

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Luka Dončić

Even after the trade shockwaves, nobody questions the offensive genius, step-back threes, full-court outlet reads, the works. The fitness and defense questions are real, but the production ceiling is still top two or three in the world.

About Luka Dončić

Slovenian guard known for his scoring and playmaking versatility, whose career has included a major trade that reshaped the Western Conference landscape.

Nationality: Slovenian

Victor Wembanyama

A 7-foot-4 player who blocks shots like a rim protector and shoots threes like a wing, there's never been a prospect like this at this stage. The medical scare was scary, but when healthy he's already warping defenses just by existing.

About Victor Wembanyama

French center for the San Antonio Spurs, a generational prospect combining elite rim protection with perimeter shooting. Drafted number one overall.

Team: San Antonio Spurs
Height: 7'4"

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Still the most physically dominant force in the league, a two-time MVP who gets to the rim like it owes him money. The jump shot debates are background noise next to what he does in transition and in the paint on both ends.

About Giannis Antetokounmpo

Greek forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, a two-time MVP and NBA champion known for his physical dominance in transition and the paint.

Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Championships: 1

AA Tier: Superstars with a case

Jayson Tatum

A Finals champion and perennial All-NBA wing who can get buckets in every way the modern game asks for. The Achilles injury is the one shadow hanging over his 2026 outlook, otherwise he's a clean top-six player.

About Jayson Tatum

Forward for the Boston Celtics and the team's franchise cornerstone, leading them to an NBA championship in 2024. Known for his scoring versatility, he suffered an Achilles injury in the 2025 playoffs that affected his availability going into the 2025-26 season.

Position: Forward
Team: Boston Celtics
Championships: 1 (2024)
College: Duke

Anthony Edwards

The most electric athlete in the league not named Giannis, and he's added a real three-point shot to go with the poster dunks. Minnesota's deep playoff runs the last couple years happened because he took the keys and didn't flinch.

About Anthony Edwards

Guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, known for his high-flying dunks and explosive scoring ability. He has become the face of the Timberwolves franchise, leading them to deep playoff runs in recent seasons.

Position: Guard
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Draft: No. 1 overall, 2020
College: Georgia

Kevin Durant

Still one of the most efficient scorers alive, a guy who can get a bucket from anywhere on the floor against anybody. Age and injury history keep him out of the very top tier, but doubt the jumper at your own risk.

About Kevin Durant

Forward widely considered one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, currently with the Houston Rockets after stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns. He has won multiple NBA championships, Finals MVPs and a regular season MVP.

Team: Houston Rockets
Position: Forward
Draft: 2007, No. 2 overall
NBA Championships: 2017, 2018

Stephen Curry

Changed the sport forever and is still doing it, pulling up from thirty feet like it's a layup. He's not the same every-night force at this stage of his career, but in a playoff series he can still take over a game by himself.

About Stephen Curry

Point guard for the Golden State Warriors, widely regarded as the greatest shooter in NBA history. He has transformed the game with his three-point shooting and has led the Warriors to multiple championships.

Position: Point Guard
Team: Golden State Warriors
Championships: 4 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022)
MVP Awards: 2 (2015, 2016)

Kawhi Leonard

Two-time Finals MVP whose two-way ceiling is as high as anyone's when healthy, which is the whole catch with Kawhi. The talent has never been in question, the availability always is.

About Kawhi Leonard

Forward for the LA Clippers, a two-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP known for his elite two-way play. He has dealt with recurring injury issues that have limited his availability in recent seasons.

Position: Forward
Team: LA Clippers
Championships: 2 (San Antonio Spurs 2014, Toronto Raptors 2019)
Finals MVP: 2014, 2019

Jalen Brunson

Built a Knicks offense around pure craft and footwork, the kind of midrange scoring that was supposed to be extinct. Playoff Brunson has become its own phrase for a reason.

About Jalen Brunson

Point guard for the New York Knicks and the team's floor leader, known for his crafty scoring and clutch performances. He signed with the Knicks in 2022 and quickly became an All-Star and key figure in the franchise's resurgence.

Position: Point Guard
Team: New York Knicks
College: Villanova
Notable: NCAA champion with Villanova (2016, 2018)

Cade Cunningham

Detroit's turnaround has his fingerprints all over it, a 6-foot-6 point guard who can get any shot he wants. People are still catching up to how good he's become, but the league already knows.

About Cade Cunningham

Point guard for the Detroit Pistons, selected first overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. He has developed into the Pistons' franchise centerpiece, leading the team's turnaround and earning his first All-Star selection.

Position: Point Guard
Team: Detroit Pistons
Draft: No. 1 overall, 2021
College: Oklahoma State

BB Tier: Great players, real ceilings

Tyrese Haliburton

A pass-first lead guard who nearly got Indiana a title and makes everyone around him better. While the Haliburton player torn his Achilles in the 2025 NBA Finals and missed the entire 2025-26 season, he is entering the 2026-27 season healthy with no restrictions, so the injury no longer 'clouds' the 2026 outlook being described in this article about the 2026 season.

About Tyrese Haliburton

Point guard for the Indiana Pacers known for his elite passing and playmaking vision. He led the Pacers to the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals and the 2025 NBA Finals.

Team: Indiana Pacers
Position: Guard
Draft: 2020, No. 12 overall
College: Iowa State

Donovan Mitchell

A reliable 25-plus scorer every season who can get hot and take over a quarter in a hurry. Cleveland's ceiling questions aren't really about him, he does his job at an All-NBA level most years.

About Donovan Mitchell

Guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, known for his explosive scoring and athleticism. Nicknamed "Spida," he rose to stardom with the Utah Jazz before being traded to Cleveland in 2022.

Position: Guard
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
College: Louisville

Jaylen Brown

A Finals MVP in his own right, a wing who can guard multiple positions and still get his own shot when it matters. Playing next to Tatum means he doesn't always get the spotlight, but the two-way value is undeniable.

About Jaylen Brown

Forward for the Boston Celtics who won NBA Finals MVP in 2024 after helping the Celtics capture the championship. He is known for his scoring, athleticism and perimeter defense.

Team: Boston Celtics
Position: Guard/Forward
Draft: 2016, No. 3 overall
Finals MVP: 2024

Chet Holmgren

A unicorn shot-blocker who also stretches the floor from the five spot, exactly what OKC needed next to SGA. Injuries have cost him real time, which is the only thing keeping him out of the tier above.

About Chet Holmgren

Center for the Oklahoma City Thunder known for his rare combination of shot-blocking and perimeter shooting for a player of his size. He won NBA Rookie of the Year honors after missing his original rookie season with injury.

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Center
Draft: 2022, No. 2 overall
College: Gonzaga

Devin Booker

One of the smoothest scorers in the league, a guy who can get 30 points without it ever looking rushed. The roster around him in Phoenix has been in flux, but his individual bucket-getting hasn't slipped.

About Devin Booker

Shooting guard for the Phoenix Suns and one of the league's most prolific scorers. He has been named an NBA All-Star multiple times and helped lead Phoenix to the 2021 NBA Finals.

Team: Phoenix Suns
Position: Guard
Draft: 2015, No. 13 overall

Evan Mobley

Defensive Player of the Year caliber rim protector who's added real face-up scoring to his game. Cleveland's defense is a different animal with him patrolling the paint.

About Evan Mobley

Forward/center for the Cleveland Cavaliers, drafted out of USC. He has established himself as a premier defensive anchor and was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Forward/Center
Draft: 2021, No. 3 overall

Karl-Anthony Towns

One of the best shooting big men ever, a guy who can space the floor from the five and still rebound at a high level. The defensive reputation has always lagged the offensive skill set, fair or not.

About Karl-Anthony Towns

Center/forward for the New York Knicks, originally drafted first overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Known as one of the most skilled shooting big men in NBA history, combining three-point range with post scoring.

Team: New York Knicks
Position: Center/Forward
Draft: 2015, No. 1 overall
College: Kentucky

Bam Adebayo

The engine of Miami's culture, a switchable defender who guards point guards and centers in the same series. He'll never fill up a box score like the names above him, but winning teams want him on their roster.

About Bam Adebayo

Center for the Miami Heat known for his defensive versatility and playmaking from the frontcourt. He has been named to multiple NBA All-Defensive teams and All-Star games.

Team: Miami Heat
Position: Center
Draft: 2017, No. 14 overall
College: Kentucky

LeBron James

Still producing at a level that would be a career year for most players, which says everything about how absurd his longevity is. He's not the top-five force he was a decade ago, but nobody in NBA history has aged like this.

About LeBron James

Forward widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, the league's all-time leading scorer. He has won multiple NBA championships and MVP awards across a career spanning more than two decades.

Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Forward
Draft: 2003, No. 1 overall
Career points: All-time leading scorer

Jalen Williams

A do-everything wing who's quietly become one of the best third options in basketball on a title team. His length and feel on defense make him a problem for opposing wings every single night.

About Jalen Williams

Guard/forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder, drafted out of Santa Clara. He has emerged as a key two-way piece alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City's young core.

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: Guard/Forward
Draft: 2022, No. 12 overall
College: Santa Clara

Jamal Murray

When healthy, he's one of the best clutch scorers in the league, a guy Denver trusts with the ball in the biggest moments. The injury history is the only reason he's not ranked higher.

About Jamal Murray

Guard for the Denver Nuggets who played a pivotal role in Denver's 2023 NBA championship run. Known for his clutch scoring and chemistry with Nikola Jokic.

Team: Denver Nuggets
Position: Guard
Draft: 2016, No. 7 overall
NBA Championship: 2023

Paolo Banchero

A bucket-getting forward who can create his own shot against just about anyone, Orlando's clear franchise cornerstone. The counting stats are already great, the playoff stage is the next test.

About Paolo Banchero

Power forward for the Orlando Magic, drafted first overall in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Duke. He won Rookie of the Year in his debut season and has since developed into the Magic's primary offensive focal point.

Team: Orlando Magic
Position: Forward
Draft: 2022, No. 1 overall
Rookie of the Year: 2022-23

CC Tier: Very good, but not stars yet

Jaren Jackson Jr.

A legit Defensive Player of the Year candidate who also stretches the floor from the four, a weird and valuable combination. Memphis' ceiling depends on him staying that disruptive on both ends.

About Jaren Jackson Jr.

Power forward and center for the Memphis Grizzlies, known as one of the league's premier rim protectors. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023.

Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Position: Forward/Center
Draft: 2018, No. 4 overall
Defensive Player of the Year: 2022-23

Scottie Barnes

A do-it-all forward who fills up the stat sheet in ways that don't always show up as star production. Toronto needs him to keep taking the leap the Rookie of the Year campaign promised.

About Scottie Barnes

Forward for the Toronto Raptors who won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2022. Known for his versatility and playmaking, he has become the Raptors' franchise cornerstone.

Team: Toronto Raptors
Position: Forward
Draft: 2021, No. 4 overall
Rookie of the Year: 2021-22

Tyrese Maxey

Lightning-quick guard who's become Philadelphia's go-to scorer whenever the roster around him is banged up. The shooting and burst are elite, the consistency is still trending up.

About Tyrese Maxey

Guard for the Philadelphia 76ers known for his speed, scoring and improved three-point shooting. He has taken on an expanded offensive role as the 76ers' lead guard.

Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Position: Guard
Draft: 2020, No. 21 overall
College: Kentucky

OG Anunoby

One of the best three-and-D wings in the league, the kind of glue guy every contender wants on the wing. He's never going to be the first or second option, and that's fine, that's not his job.

About OG Anunoby

Forward known for elite perimeter defense, currently with the New York Knicks after being traded from the Toronto Raptors. He is regarded as one of the league's top defenders at his position.

Team: New York Knicks
Position: Forward
Draft: 2017, No. 23 overall
College: Indiana

Deni Avdija

A versatile forward who's turned into a legitimate stat-stuffer, rebounding and playmaking from the wing spot. Portland fans have seen the jump coming for a while and it's arrived.

About Deni Avdija

Forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, originally drafted by the Washington Wizards. Born in Israel, he has grown into a versatile scorer, rebounder and playmaker.

Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Forward
Draft: 2020, No. 9 overall
Nationality: Israeli

Jalen Johnson

An athletic forward who does a bit of everything for Atlanta, rebounds, defends, and pushes the pace in transition. Injuries have slowed the breakout, but the tools are obviously there.

About Jalen Johnson

Forward for the Atlanta Hawks who has developed into a versatile two-way contributor since being drafted out of Duke. Known for his athleticism and all-around stat-filling production.

Team: Atlanta Hawks
Position: Forward
Draft: 2021, No. 20 overall
College: Duke

Austin Reaves

Went from afterthought to legitimate playmaking guard who can score in bunches when the Lakers need it. The underdog story is nice, but at this point he's just a good player, full stop.

About Austin Reaves

Guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who went undrafted out of Oklahoma before earning a key role in the Lakers rotation. Known for his shooting, playmaking and clutch performances.

Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Guard
College: Oklahoma
Draft: Undrafted, 2021

FF Tier: Good player, wrong tier for the hype

Amen Thompson

The athleticism and defensive upside are real, and the hype around him is louder than almost anyone else's on this list. But he's still not a reliable enough shooter or offensive engine to be ranked among these established stars, that gap is the point of this spot.

About Amen Thompson

Guard for the Houston Rockets, drafted fourth overall in 2023 after playing professionally in Overtime Elite rather than college. Known for his athleticism, playmaking and defensive versatility.

Team: Houston Rockets
Position: Guard
Draft: 2023, No. 4 overall
Twin brother: Ausar Thompson

How we ranked them

We weighed regular season production, but leaned harder on playoff impact, two-way value, and how much a player's team actually needs him to win at the highest level. Durability and recent-year trajectory mattered too, a great 2022 doesn't carry you into an S tier in 2026. Where fan and critic opinion genuinely splits, we picked a side and said so instead of hiding behind a middle ranking.

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FAQ

Who is the best NBA player going into 2026?

Based on consensus, Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sit at the very top, with Luka Dončić, Victor Wembanyama and Giannis Antetokounmpo right there in the S tier conversation.

Is LeBron James still a top-tier player in 2026?

He's not in the very top group anymore, but he's still producing at a level that lands him comfortably in our B tier, which is a wild thing to say about a player this far into his career.

Why is Amen Thompson ranked so low?

It's not that he's a bad player, his defense and athleticism are legit. The hype around him has outpaced his current offensive production, so he lands in F relative to this specific, star-stacked list.

Where does Victor Wembanyama rank among NBA players for 2026?

He's in our S tier. His two-way impact, especially as a shot-blocking big who also shoots threes, puts him among the very best players in the league already.

Is this list based on 2025 stats or projections for 2026?

It's based on overall consensus heading into the 2026 season, combining recent play, playoff track record, and where fans and critics broadly agree each player stands right now.

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Image credits

Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderPhoto: Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Luka DončićPhoto: U.S. Embassy Ljubljana, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Victor WembanyamaPhoto: Frenchieinportland, CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Jayson TatumPhoto: Hameltion, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Anthony EdwardsPhoto: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Stephen CurryPhoto: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Kawhi LeonardPhoto: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mhecaela J. Watts, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Cade CunninghamPhoto: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Jaylen BrownPhoto: Hameltion, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Bam AdebayoPhoto: TonyTheTiger, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
LeBron JamesPhoto: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Jalen WilliamsPhoto: Daiei Onoguchi, CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Paolo BancheroPhoto: Al Ward, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Deni AvdijaPhoto: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source