News Summary
The NBA has announced its ranking of the top 10 players in the Western Conference for the next season, led by Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards follow closely behind. This ranking underscores the high caliber of talent in the conference, with notable players like Luka Dončić and Stephen Curry also featured. Meanwhile, Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns is notably absent as the team reorganizes following key departures. The upcoming season is set to be highly competitive in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles – The NBA’s Top Players in the Western Conference for the 2025-26 Season Announced
The NBA has revealed its ranking of the top 10 players in the Western Conference for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Leading the list is Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, followed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves. This ranking reflects the conference’s status as home to many of the league’s premier talent, as evidenced by recent MVP award trends and the overall competitive landscape of the conference.
Nikola Jokic, a three-time MVP winner since 2021, remains a pivotal figure in the league, showcasing consistent performance season after season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a stellar prior season, earning accolades as the scoring champion while securing multiple MVP awards. In closely following, Anthony Edwards has demonstrated significant growth, establishing himself as a budding superstar with enhanced shooting accuracy and consistency.
The full list of the top 10 players heading into the season is as follows:
- Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
- Anthony Davis (Dallas Mavericks)
- Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets)
- Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)
- LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers is expected to perform well, although his conditioning and defensive skills are under scrutiny heading into the preseason. Stephen Curry, though coming off his lowest scoring average in a decade, remains a formidable scorer and playmaker. Anthony Davis is recognized for his two-way skill set but faces ongoing challenges with injuries. Kevin Durant, despite aging, continues to be one of the top offensive threats in the league.
Kawhi Leonard is acknowledged as an elite defender with a considerable influence on the game when healthy, while LeBron James, astonishingly continuing to produce impressive stats, shows remarkable longevity despite natural age-related declines. Lastly, Victor Wembanyama is identified as a rising star with elite defensive attributes, marking a significant addition in the conference.
Competitive Landscape and MVP History
The Western Conference has solidified its reputation as the home of the league’s elite, with 13 of the last 16 Kia MVP trophies awarded to players from teams in this conference. As the NBA evolves, the depth of talent makes ranking these athletes a considerable challenge. Legendary players such as LeBron James and Stephen Curry continue to showcase their skills, even as they approach two decades in the league.
Challenges for the Phoenix Suns
Notably absent from the top 10 is Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, who has not made the list this season. Booker’s individual performance saw a decline in the previous season, affecting his status among all-stars. The Suns aim to reestablish themselves in playoff contention with a restructured roster around Booker, especially following the departures of both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. With questions surrounding the backcourt and their effectiveness moving forward, the Suns are facing pivotal challenges as they strive to return to competitive form.
As the NBA season approaches, the Western Conference appears set to deliver another highly competitive year, showcasing talent that will maintain fans’ excitement and anticipation.
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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
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