The NBA landscape is buzzing with anticipation as the 2025-26 season approaches, and the conversation is hotter than ever around the league’s emerging stars, seasoned veterans, and bold predictions that could shake up fantasy basketball leagues everywhere. With the dust barely settled from last season’s dramatic finish and a flurry of offseason moves, fans and fantasy managers alike are eyeing new developments that promise to reshape the hierarchy of NBA talent.
One of the season’s most compelling narratives is the rise of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first NBA championship, Gilgeous-Alexander has been rewarded with a staggering four-year, $285 million supermax extension. Experts have ranked him as the top guard entering 2025-26, a testament to his consistency and ability to control the pace of the game. "It’s a rarity that the league’s leading scorer and reigning MVP is not at the top of this list, but Gilgeous-Alexander more than earned his worth after leading the Thunder to their first NBA championship," noted one analyst, highlighting his smooth, unhurried style and scoring prowess.
The guard position, in fact, is loaded with talent this year. Luka Doncic, now donning the Los Angeles Lakers’ purple and gold after a blockbuster February trade from Dallas, is ranked second among guards. Doncic’s first season in L.A. saw the Lakers reach the playoffs’ opening round, but expectations are sky-high for further progress. Doncic has spent his summer prepping in the EuroLeague, determined to elevate his game and integrate with his new teammates. His methodical approach and court vision make him a constant threat, and with a full offseason under his belt, Lakers fans are eager to see what’s next.
Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves rounds out the top three. The former No. 1 pick has become synonymous with the term "dawg"—a relentless competitor who’s finished seventh in MVP voting for two straight years and has upped his three-point shooting to an impressive 39.5%. With three consecutive All-Star appearances and back-to-back All-NBA second-team honors, Edwards is cementing his place among the game’s elite.
Veteran sharpshooter Stephen Curry remains a mainstay in the conversation, ranked fourth. Despite being 37 and showing hints of slowing down—logging his fewest minutes per game since 2011-12 (excluding the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season)—Curry’s off-ball movement and legendary shooting keep him relevant. "There’s no shot he cannot make," experts say, even as the Warriors adjust to an aging core.
Donovan Mitchell, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference’s best record last season, takes the fifth spot. Since joining the Cavs, Mitchell has been an All-Star for six straight seasons and is lauded for his scoring and underrated MVP potential. The Cavaliers’ young defensive core has made his job easier, and fans are excited to see if he can push the team even further this year.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, winner of the 2024-25 Clutch Player of the Year award, sits at sixth. With new coach Mike Brown at the helm, there’s talk of diversifying the Knicks’ offense, possibly leveraging Brunson’s off-ball abilities more. His crafty moves and reliable left-handed shot have been key to New York’s resurgence as an Eastern contender.
Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham is another name to watch. Ranked seventh, Cunningham posted career-highs in points and assists last season, helping the Pistons to a remarkable 30-win improvement and a playoff berth that ended a five-year drought. His development as a playmaker has been a catalyst for Detroit’s turnaround.
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, ranked eighth, is renowned for his scoring explosions—he’s the only player under 30 with at least eight 50-point games. While Booker missed out on the All-Star game last season, his ability to take over contests is unquestioned. With Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal now gone from Phoenix, Booker will have the reins and the green light to dominate offensively.
James Harden, enjoying a career resurgence with the Los Angeles Clippers, claims the ninth spot. Harden earned all-NBA honors for the first time since 2020 and appeared in 78 games—his most in nearly a decade. His scoring, rebounding, and assist rates all saw significant boosts, proving he can still be a difference-maker when healthy and motivated.
Rounding out the top ten is Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. Injuries have hampered Morant over the past two years, but when healthy, he’s a force to be reckoned with. His athleticism and ability to attack the rim set him apart, and in his last fully healthy season, he finished 12th in MVP voting while averaging more than 26 points per game. Fans are hoping for a bounce-back year from the dynamic guard.
On the fantasy front, bold predictions abound. Brandon Miller, currently drafted 85th on average in ESPN live drafts, is forecasted to finish in the top 40 on the Player Rater. His ability to create his own shot and rack up defensive stats makes him an intriguing pick, with experts likening his trajectory to that of Trey Murphy III. "Few players his size are this skilled at both slashing and shooting," observed Jim McCormick, pointing to Miller’s unique skill set at his position.
Joel Embiid and Kawhi Leonard, both plagued by injuries last season (missing a combined 108 of 164 games), are tipped for major bounce-backs. Experts predict both will finish in the top 50 in fantasy points, with at least one cracking the top 20—provided they can stay on the court for 60-65 games.
The Boston Celtics, even with Jayson Tatum expected to miss most or all of the season, are poised to remain a three-point shooting powerhouse. Four Celtics—Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, and Sam Hauser—are projected to finish among the league’s top ten in made three-pointers, with Jaylen Brown not far behind. The team’s commitment to perimeter offense shows no signs of waning.
Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls is another fantasy sleeper. Expected to start and log around 30 minutes per game, Buzelis is predicted to crack the top 25 for fantasy value, thanks to his ability to contribute across the stat sheet—blocks, steals, threes, and rebounds.
And then there’s LaMelo Ball. After averaging 25.2 points, 7.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.8 threes last season, Ball is fully recovered from ankle and wrist surgeries and is expected to play more than 70 games for the first time in years. If he stays healthy, his top-15 fantasy upside is well within reach.
With so many intriguing storylines and high-stakes predictions, the 2025-26 NBA season is shaping up to be one for the ages. As teams finalize their rosters and fantasy managers set their sights on hidden gems and proven stars, all eyes are on the hardwood to see which bold forecasts become reality and which new legends will emerge.