"Here's a rundown of some of the biggest questions and points of contention from our latest edition of NBA Rank, including how long Denver Nuggets star center and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic will remain atop the heap, whether any American players could eventually supplant him in that top spot, and just how much longer active legends LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry can keep themselves among the league's elite stars."
"The consensus from conversations is that Jokic, who has been the definitive top player or at least in the conversation for the past several years, has at least two more runs at No. 1 before he's likely to start sliding down this list. "That might seem low," an East executive told ESPN, "but we never account for how fast things change in the league.""
An expert panel completed the 15th annual ranking of the NBA's best players for 2025-26. Scouts, coaches and executives provided feedback on the top 100 and identified key questions and points of contention. Conversations indicate Nikola Jokic should retain the No. 1 position for at least two more seasons before beginning to slide. Jokic's style, which does not rely on speed or leaping ability, supports a graceful aging curve if he maintains conditioning and motivation. Evaluators noted that durability hinges on his commitment to stay in shape. Observers also questioned which players might enter the top 10 and how long veterans can remain elite.
Read at ESPN.com
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