NBA Rank 2025-26: Newcomers surge while former stars slide in positions 50-11
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ESPN on Wednesday released the second installment of its annual NBA Rank, outlining spots 50 through 11 ahead of the 2025-26 season and revealing dramatic movement for several players.
How the list was compiled
More than 150 reporters, editors, producers and analysts projected one-season value by choosing the better player in over 20,000 head-to-head matchups. Votes considered only the coming campaign. Long-term injury absences kept Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Dejounte Murray and Fred VanVleet off this year’s ballot.
Biggest climbs
- Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder — vaults from No. 44 to No. 11 after a pivotal 40-point Game 5 in the NBA Finals, all while playing through torn wrist ligaments.
- Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers — leaps 34 spots to No. 13 following an All-NBA season and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons — rises from No. 67 to No. 12 after averaging 26.1 points, 9.1 assists and 6.1 rebounds in his postseason debut.
- Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets — unranked a year ago, the third-year guard lands at No. 37 on the strength of an All-Defensive first-team nod.
- Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers — also previously unranked, the center reaches No. 36 after posting 59 double-doubles.
Notable drops
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers — slides from No. 8 to No. 47 after appearing in only 19 games last season.
- De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs — moves back nine places to No. 35 amid uncertainty about his fit beside top draft pick Dylan Harper.
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers — falls to No. 28 from No. 19 as his three-point percentage dipped to 33%.
- Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks — edges down one spot to No. 14, underscoring continued durability concerns.
Veterans holding ground
James Harden (No. 23) climbs 18 spots after his first All-NBA selection since 2020, while Kawhi Leonard (No. 20) hovers near last season’s position despite an ongoing league investigation into a sponsorship deal. Jimmy Butler (No. 18) and Jaylen Brown (No. 19) both enter the top 20 as primary options on new-look rosters in Golden State and Boston, respectively.
Position 50 through 11 at a glance
The full segment features a mix of established stars and rising talents:
50-41: Kristaps Porzingis, Rudy Gobert, Mikal Bridges, Joel Embiid, Jamal Murray, Jarrett Allen, Jalen Johnson, Lauri Markkanen, Julius Randle, OG Anunoby.
40-31: Aaron Gordon, Desmond Bane, Darius Garland, Amen Thompson, Ivica Zubac, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Ja Morant, Franz Wagner, Jaren Jackson Jr.
30-21: Scottie Barnes, Trae Young, Tyrese Maxey, Karl-Anthony Towns, Derrick White, Alperen Sengun, Chet Holmgren, James Harden, Pascal Siakam, Bam Adebayo.
20-11: Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler, Paolo Banchero, Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, Anthony Davis, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Williams.
The countdown concludes Thursday when ESPN reveals its top 10 players for the upcoming season.
Source: ESPN
