Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Wembanyama Lead Tightly Contested NBA Rank 2026

A panel of seven experts separated the top three players by just three voting points in the 2026-27 season projections.

Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Victor Wembanyama emerged as the top three players in the NBA Rank 2026 list, separated by only three total voting points. According to ESPN, each of these three superstars received at least one first-place vote from a revamped seven-member panel of experts. The rankings, which project player contributions for the 2026-27 season, placed Wembanyama at No. 2 following a season where he earned Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-NBA honors. Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning back-to-back MVP, took the No. 3 spot after leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a plus-15.3 net rating when paired with Jalen Williams.

Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers ranks No. 4 after winning his second scoring title in three years with 33.48 points per game. Giannis Antetokounmpo, now with the Miami Heat, follows at No. 5 after a final season in Milwaukee where he played 36 games. Reigning Finals MVP Jalen Brunson rose to No. 6 after leading the New York Knicks to their first championship in over 50 years, averaging 11.2 fourth-quarter points during the 2026 Finals.

Rounding out the top ten, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards ranks No. 7 after averaging 28.8 points per game. Cade Cunningham jumped to No. 8 following Detroit’s first 60-win season in two decades, despite averaging a record 5.6 turnovers in the 2026 playoffs. Jayson Tatum, returning from an Achilles tear, ranks No. 9, while Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell sits at No. 10 after his first career Eastern Conference finals appearance.