Experts interpret the top 100: Zhan Kudu no longer has the top 5, and the throne is already an international star

On Thursday, ESPN released the top 100 best players in the new season. Later, ESPN contacted scouts, coaches and executives from all over the league to solicit their feedback on the 2025-26 New Top 100 rankings, including where they agree and disagree with our rankings.

The following is an overview of some of the biggest questions and controversies among the latest NBA top 100 stars, including Denver Nuggets star center, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic will stay at the top, whether any American player will eventually replace him at the top, and how long can active legends LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry stay among the top stars. How long can Jokic last at the top of the list?

The consensus drawn from the dialogue is that Jokic has been the clear number one player, or at least the subject of discussion, and he has at least two chances to stay first before he can start to decline. "It may look a little short," an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN, "but we have never considered how fast things change in the league. "

But according to league insiders, how long Jokic can stay on this list depends on how his game style should adapt to age and how the chasers perform. For a player who does not rely on speed or bounce ability to generate MVP influence, it should not be a problem to reach the end of his peak period gracefully.

"It all depends on how motivated he maintains his size." said an Eastern Conference scout.

Which players may enter the top ten next season?

Some answers naturally point to a player who is already a top ten if healthy: Boston Celtics star Jason Tatum, who has just been selected for the NBA All-Squad for the fourth straight season, but will miss at least most of the season due to a tear of right Achilles tendon in May.

Tatum is not alone. Many people are optimistic about Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylen Williams (11th), Detroit Pistons guard Cad Cunningham (12th), Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (15th) and Orlando Magic forward Paul Banchero (17th) becoming the top ten candidates.

What do you think of the top five of this season?

For the second consecutive year, everyone asked immediately reported four names: Jokic, Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic.

However, several players won at least one vote, including Victor Vinbanyama, Curry, Anthony Edwards, Durant and Mitchell.

"Venban Yama is already very good," said a Western Conference scout. "Now he has a helper around him, and they want to win. "

"Edwards is still growing. " said another scout.

"Mitchell's contribution to improving that team was not recognized enough," said an Eastern Conference scout, "also for him to change his style of play to adapt to the efforts made by existing players. "

Are LeBron, Curry and KD still in the top ten?

By the start of the 2025-26 season, all three players will reach or be over 37 years old, and LeBron will be the league's oldest player for the second consecutive season, and they can still remain in the top ten in this ranking, which is amazing. And, to a large extent, alliance insiders agreed with the assessment. Some people think one or two of them are on the edge, but no one thinks the three are ranked out of the box.

"They should be there," said an assistant coach in the West. "They are just not the top five players anymore. "

"As long as they are healthy, they are definitely in the top ten," said an Eastern Conference scout, "But at this age, health is not certain. "

"They are definitely declining," said an Eastern Conference executive, "But they should still be in the top ten. "

There is nothing else but Flag? Can American players become the first in the short term?

Given that the league MVP has been won by international players for seven consecutive times, the top five of this list are all international players, and the hottest young star in the sport is French Vinban Yama, the most common answer to this question for the second consecutive year is "no". How much will Flag rank before the 2026-27 season?

The consensus on Flag is that he will make a significant jump on this list next season.

"Top 25," said an assistant coach in the West. "He will be a fringe All-Star, and the topic will revolve around whether he should be selected as a sophomore. "

Several other insiders believe Flag can make the top 30 in next year's ranking, which is the general answer. The only question about Flag’s potential is not around his skills, but the Dallas Mavericks’ veteran-focused roster, which league insiders fear may create an awkward adaptation at least in the early stages.

"I just don't like his role in that team," said an assistant Western Conference coach, who put Flag in the top 50 next year, rather than higher.