by It’s fair to say that LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are living legends in the NBA right now. However, they’re all in the late stages of their career.
They might still be the most popular players, but they probably aren’t the best players.
NBA betting lines online routinely show younger stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic as perennial favorites for MVP.
Who is the Best Player in The NBA Today?
We’ll take a closer look at this trio to find out which player is truly the best in the NBA today.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
It would make sense to start with the reigning league MVP. Gilgeous-Alexander had a brilliant season, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to 68 regular season wins.
Many were surprised that the dynamic guard hadn’t won MVP before the 2024-2025 season, but a strong individual campaign and a historic team performance got him the award.
Opposing fans have labeled Gilgeous-Alexander as a “free throw merchant” who exaggerates contact to get to the free throw line.
The Oklahoma City guard isn’t bothered by the label, saying, “I think because we’re on top of everybody’s radar, it’s a little more noticeable, and now people care about it. I kind of see it as a compliment.”
Even if he’s greatly aided by free-throw attempts, Gilgeous-Alexander has proven throughout his career that he’s a three-level scorer with a plethora of moves and countermoves.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
He’s been so good for so long that some might forget just how dominant Antetokounmpo is on an annual basis.
Without much help against the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA playoffs, Antetokounmpo put his Superman cape on and did his best to keep the Bucks competitive.
He averaged 33 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists throughout the series.
It stood to reason that Antetokounmpo’s game might decline as he hit his thirties, but that hasn’t happened.
True to his nickname, his physical attributes are truly freakish, and it feels like he’s got a few more years of dominance in him.
Antetokounmpo has already won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, so his resume is already pretty full.
With that said, he’s also one of the fiercest competitors in the NBA and will stop at nothing to get a second ring.
Nikola Jokic
With all due respect to Antetokounmpo and Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic is probably the best player in the NBA right now.
He’s a three-time league MVP and arguably could have won a fourth in 2024-2025. He’s an NBA Finals MVP as well, thanks to his stellar run to the title with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.
Simply put, Jokic is a one-man offense. He’s been called the best passing big man of all time by hallowed NBA announcer Mike Breen, and it’s easy to see why.
Jokic can set up teammates on the fast break, off of half-court sets, and out of the post. It feels like he has eyes in the back of his head.
In addition to his elite vision, Jokic is also a potent scorer. He has a deft three-point touch, and his shots seem to land gently on the rim before eventually going in.
