RGM Top 25 NBA Player Poll 2025-26 -- Round 9!

[bisme37]

Oh hey again good pals! This is the thing where we rank the top 25 NBA players for 2025-26 hooray.

Basically vote for 1 of the guys in the poll, and you can also post a comment that nominates a player to be added for the next round of voting. Then a day or two later I'll pop in and make the next poll.

So like: "Vote Jokic, nominate Kuzma." Or whatever.

If you change your mind, the poll is set up so you can change your vote as often as you'd like until the poll closes and the next thread goes up. (The poll is limited to 10 options.)

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Results so far:

#1: Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets with 63% of the votes;
Added to next poll: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2472330

#2: Shai Gilgeous Alexander, OKC Thunder with 54% of the votes;
Added to next poll: Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2472418

#3: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks with 50% of the vote
Added to next poll: Jalen Williams, OKC Thunder
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2472506

#4: Luka Doncic, LA Lakers with 62% of votes;
Added to next poll: Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2472644

#5: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs with 60% of the vote;
Added to next poll: Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2472702

#6: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves with 41% of votes;
Added to next poll: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2472754

#7: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors with 30% of the votes;
Added to next poll: Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2472918

#8: Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks with 46% of the vote;
Added to next poll: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2473076

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Not yet added:
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
James Harden, LA Clippers
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
Derrick White, Boston Celtics
Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
De'Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Lamelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
Jaren Jackson Jr, Memphis Grizzlies
Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
Lauri Markannen, Utah Jazz
Chet Holmgren, OKC Thunder
Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers
Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
Etc etc.

This is meant to be a projection of player rankings for this coming season. Guys like Tatum ( ), Hali and Dame are likely not playing, so I begrudgingly left them out.

Enjoy!

[SA37]

Voted Kawhi

Nominate Embiid

[Mavrelous]

This one is tough, Brunson, KD, Mitchell, Mobely, Kawhi, all have cases
V: KD
N: Booker

[Caneman786]

Voted Kawhi

Nominate Embiid

[-Luke-]

Voted for Mitchell.
Nominate Booker.

[brackdan70]

Voted Mitchell, nominate KAT

[jowglenn]

Voted Brunson
Nominate Siakam

[Pistol_Pete10]

Vote: Durant
Add: Booker

[cupcakesnake]

I honestly find this tier really hard. I see a lot of these guys as interchangeable and all bringing big value in different roles.

The small guard offensive dynamos: Brunson, Mitchell.
The all-defense 2-way swiss army knives: J.Dub and Mobley
The fading legends: Kawhi, Lebron, Durant.
The big potential leaps: Paolo and Cade

It feel like just yesterday that Lebron/Durant/Kawhi were the 3 best players in the league. Now they're all much older, their games have become more limited, and though I believe they can put up stats, I don't see them as the highest level difference makers anymore. I don't expect health and endurance over a full season and playoffs.

I don't have Jaylen Brown in this tier of players at all. He's close, and not much worse than anyone, but I still see his game not being on this level (top 10 player in the league).

Paolo and Cade could easily make leaps and become borderline MVP candidates. I don't think either of them are there yet and I haven't seen enough to project them in the top 10. They both get a little overrated due to having big roles and putting up numbers. Both of them have to become efficient scorers and/or playmakers for their on court impact to match what some fans think of them.

To me it's between Brunson, Mitchell, and Mobley. To me, Mobley is functionally every bit as good as AD, and more likely to be healthy. Brunson and Mitchell are the 2 best offensive players left on the board. I have J.Dub a little lower than these guys, but I don't think people realize how good he is on defense. If he plays offense like he did to start last season, he's a top 10 player to me.

Vote: Mobley
Nom: Siakam

[SA37]

It feel like just yesterday that Lebron/Durant/Kawhi were the 3 best players in the league. Now they're all much older, their games have become more limited, and though I believe they can put up stats, I don't see them as the highest level difference makers anymore. I don't expect health and endurance over a full season and playoffs.

Barring injuries, there is a 95% chance LeBron, Durant, and Kawhi will be all-NBA players next year because they'll be the #1 option -- or #1a in LeBron's case -- on teams that will likely finish in the top-8 in the league.

[cupcakesnake]

It feel like just yesterday that Lebron/Durant/Kawhi were the 3 best players in the league. Now they're all much older, their games have become more limited, and though I believe they can put up stats, I don't see them as the highest level difference makers anymore. I don't expect health and endurance over a full season and playoffs.

Barring injuries, there is a 95% chance LeBron, Durant, and Kawhi will be all-NBA players next year because they'll be the #1 option -- or #1a in LeBron's case -- on teams that will likely finish in the top-8 in the league.

Saying "barring injuries" feels a bit pointless when we're talking about some of the oldest players in the league. Kawhi played 37 games last year, and in the past 4 seasons, he's had 1 season where he played enough to qualify for all-NBA. Durant flat out missed it last year, and turns 37 next month. Lebron is 40. I wouldn't be out of this world surprised if any of these guys make all-NBA, but saying 95% is ridiculous. They each need some pretty good fortune to get there.

They're all still in good situations to make all-NBA, for sure. Star players on good teams. The Rockets and Clippers should have crazy good records this year, and the Lakers could be solid.

However, making all-NBA isn't the same as being top 3, and it's not always top 9 (which is what we're voting for here). I don't have any of these 3 in my top 10 to start the season. They're still great at what they do best, and they can still pile up stats, but each of these players has pretty severe physical limitation at this point in their career. They focus a lot on pacing themselves, and avoiding certain kinds of plays. KD can't get to the rim, Lebron can't close out. All three hold themselves back defensively. Compared to some of the young prime guys, there's too many things they can't do at their respective ages.

Right before the rise of Giannis, from maybe 2016-2019, these 3 felt like the absolute apex predators on the NBA. Huge wings who could dominate physically and with overwhelming skill. That's almost 10 years ago now, and while these guys are still great, I don't think they're no-brainer top 10 guys anymore. I know most people still keep them around there. I think the NBA, with its constant increase in movement demands, is more a young man's game than ever before.

[iggymcfrack]

Wow, we still haven’t nominated Chet yet? Come on. I’d probably take him over AD for next season. Mitchell was a top 5 player last year. Him dropping this far is silly.

Vote Mitchell

Nominate Chet

[cupcakesnake]

Wow, we still haven’t nominated Chet yet? Come on. I’d probably take him over AD for next season. Mitchell was a top 5 player last year. Him dropping this far is silly.

Vote Mitchell

Nominate Chet

I'm with you on Chet, but I don't think the wider NBA fanbase is wise to him yet. He was injured for much of last year, and has yet to put up box scores that impress fans (mostly due to OKC being able to manage his minutes with small ball and iHart). People don't realize that if he was playing big minutes, we're looking at a 20 and 10 guy with 3 blocks. A DPOY-level guy who also can space the floor for guards, and drive the ball against close outs. His only real weakness is the literal weakness of being so skinny, but even there he's shown so much fight in the paint and the boards.

No idea if he'll break out next year. The ability is there, but also OKC doesn't need to him handle a massive workload. I've been nominating him or Siakam for the last couple rounds. I think Chet has a way higher ceiling than Pascal, but with Pascal I just expect him to be the solo star of a busted up Indiana team that could end up being better than people expect. I'd love to see Chet's offensive role expanded a little, but OKC can do whatever they want with such a ridiculously deep roster.

[brackdan70]

Wow, we still haven’t nominated Chet yet? Come on. I’d probably take him over AD for next season. Mitchell was a top 5 player last year. Him dropping this far is silly.

Vote Mitchell

Nominate Chet

With you on Mitchell. Chet’s been a 16/8 guy with pretty good impact stats so far. Yeah he is young and could/should certainly take a leap…but he is probably the number 3 on his team. He is nowhere near the impact of AD yet. AD is a consistent 24/11 guy with top 10 impact stats, also the best player on his team.

[Jadoogar]

It feel like just yesterday that Lebron/Durant/Kawhi were the 3 best players in the league. Now they're all much older, their games have become more limited, and though I believe they can put up stats, I don't see them as the highest level difference makers anymore. I don't expect health and endurance over a full season and playoffs.

Barring injuries, there is a 95% chance LeBron, Durant, and Kawhi will be all-NBA players next year because they'll be the #1 option -- or #1a in LeBron's case -- on teams that will likely finish in the top-8 in the league.

Its very likely none of these guys play 65 games

Sent from my SM-S921W using RealGM mobile app

[bisme37]

Jalen Brunson is our pick for #9 wow this is amazing you guys
Devin Booker added to next poll
Continue voting here:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2473174

[SA37]

It feel like just yesterday that Lebron/Durant/Kawhi were the 3 best players in the league. Now they're all much older, their games have become more limited, and though I believe they can put up stats, I don't see them as the highest level difference makers anymore. I don't expect health and endurance over a full season and playoffs.

Barring injuries, there is a 95% chance LeBron, Durant, and Kawhi will be all-NBA players next year because they'll be the #1 option -- or #1a in LeBron's case -- on teams that will likely finish in the top-8 in the league.

Its very likely none of these guys play 65 games

Sent from my SM-S921W using RealGM mobile app

It's possible, but consider LeBron played 70 and 71 the last two seasons even though he didn't make it to 60 games from 36-38. Durant has played 62 & 75 the last two seasons after having an injury-plagued previous 3.

[SA37]

It feel like just yesterday that Lebron/Durant/Kawhi were the 3 best players in the league. Now they're all much older, their games have become more limited, and though I believe they can put up stats, I don't see them as the highest level difference makers anymore. I don't expect health and endurance over a full season and playoffs.

Barring injuries, there is a 95% chance LeBron, Durant, and Kawhi will be all-NBA players next year because they'll be the #1 option -- or #1a in LeBron's case -- on teams that will likely finish in the top-8 in the league.

Saying "barring injuries" feels a bit pointless when we're talking about some of the oldest players in the league. Kawhi played 37 games last year, and in the past 4 seasons, he's had 1 season where he played enough to qualify for all-NBA. Durant flat out missed it last year, and turns 37 next month. Lebron is 40. I wouldn't be out of this world surprised if any of these guys make all-NBA, but saying 95% is ridiculous. They each need some pretty good fortune to get there.

Barring injuries applies to a lot of young guys, including Chet, Zion, or Lamelo Ball.

Durant (all-NBA 2 in 23-24): 27-6r-5a 1.2b .9s on 52-41-86
Durant (24-25): 26-6r-4a 1.2b .8s on 53-43-84

The only reason he didn't make the All-NBA team is because he wasn't eligible (he played in 62 games).

LeBron has made the all-NBA team every year of his career except his rookie season.

James (career): 27-7-7 on 50-35-74
James (last 2 seasons): 25-7r-8a on 52-39-76

Even if he averages 23-6r-6a on 50-36-75, he'll still be a contender for all-NBA so long as the Lakers are a top-6 seed. (For reference, Kawhi was all-NBA 2nd team in 23-24 averaging 24-6-4 on 52-42-89 for a Clippers team that won 51 games and finished 4th in the West.

[cupcakesnake]

Barring injuries, there is a 95% chance LeBron, Durant, and Kawhi will be all-NBA players next year because they'll be the #1 option -- or #1a in LeBron's case -- on teams that will likely finish in the top-8 in the league.

Saying "barring injuries" feels a bit pointless when we're talking about some of the oldest players in the league. Kawhi played 37 games last year, and in the past 4 seasons, he's had 1 season where he played enough to qualify for all-NBA. Durant flat out missed it last year, and turns 37 next month. Lebron is 40. I wouldn't be out of this world surprised if any of these guys make all-NBA, but saying 95% is ridiculous. They each need some pretty good fortune to get there.

Barring injuries applies to a lot of young guys, including Chet, Zion, or Lamelo Ball.

Durant (all-NBA 2 in 23-24): 27-6r-5a 1.2b .9s on 52-41-86
Durant (24-25): 26-6r-4a 1.2b .8s on 53-43-84

The only reason he didn't make the All-NBA team is because he wasn't eligible (he played in 62 games).

LeBron has made the all-NBA team every year of his career except his rookie season.

James (career): 27-7-7 on 50-35-74
James (last 2 seasons): 25-7r-8a on 52-39-76

Even if he averages 23-6r-6a on 50-36-75, he'll still be a contender for all-NBA so long as the Lakers are a top-6 seed. (For reference, Kawhi was all-NBA 2nd team in 23-24 averaging 24-6-4 on 52-42-89 for a Clippers team that won 51 games and finished 4th in the West.

Of course these guys will be in contention for all-NBA. No one is arguing that. Saying 95% is still ridiculous.

These guys are old. Sometimes the end comes suddenly for older players. Every year you push into your mid-to-late 30s, the injury probability increases. Kawhi isn't as old as Lebron, but he has a degenerative knee condition. We go into every season not knowing what we'll get from Kawhi Leonard. It sucks but these are facts.

Yes, there are also young guys with medical red flags. Never said there wasn't.

[SA37]

Spoiler:

Saying "barring injuries" feels a bit pointless when we're talking about some of the oldest players in the league. Kawhi played 37 games last year, and in the past 4 seasons, he's had 1 season where he played enough to qualify for all-NBA. Durant flat out missed it last year, and turns 37 next month. Lebron is 40. I wouldn't be out of this world surprised if any of these guys make all-NBA, but saying 95% is ridiculous. They each need some pretty good fortune to get there.

Barring injuries applies to a lot of young guys, including Chet, Zion, or Lamelo Ball.

Durant (all-NBA 2 in 23-24): 27-6r-5a 1.2b .9s on 52-41-86
Durant (24-25): 26-6r-4a 1.2b .8s on 53-43-84

The only reason he didn't make the All-NBA team is because he wasn't eligible (he played in 62 games).

LeBron has made the all-NBA team every year of his career except his rookie season.

James (career): 27-7-7 on 50-35-74
James (last 2 seasons): 25-7r-8a on 52-39-76

Even if he averages 23-6r-6a on 50-36-75, he'll still be a contender for all-NBA so long as the Lakers are a top-6 seed. (For reference, Kawhi was all-NBA 2nd team in 23-24 averaging 24-6-4 on 52-42-89 for a Clippers team that won 51 games and finished 4th in the West.

Of course these guys will be in contention for all-NBA. No one is arguing that. Saying 95% is still ridiculous.

These guys are old. Sometimes the end comes suddenly for older players. Every year you push into your mid-to-late 30s, the injury probability increases. Kawhi isn't as old as Lebron, but he has a degenerative knee condition. We go into every season not knowing what we'll get from Kawhi Leonard. It sucks but these are facts.

Yes, there are also young guys with medical red flags. Never said there wasn't.

My argument is that they are almost locks to be all-NBA guys if they play in enough games to be eligible. I don't think we disagree on this point.

I am not going to significantly drop them down in the rankings unless I think their injuries will keep them from performing at an all-NBA level. So, yes, Kawhi has a degenerative knee issue. But when he plays, he's a top-10, if not top-5 player in the NBA.

Embiid I can understand dropping in the rankings. His output in the 19 games he played last year was well below his normal output over the previous 4-5 seasons. That may just be an outlier, but we don't know.

I have no issue if other people feel like other players are already better or will make a jump past some of these guys. Like you pointed out, some of these guys are interchangeable. And then sometimes people are just really bullish on a few of the young guys. I just still think LeBron, Kawhi, and Durant are still "no-brainer" top-10 guys.

My list would be:

Jokic - SGA - Doncic - Giannis - Curry - Kawhi - LeBron - Durant - Tatum - Davis