The league’s hierarchy of talent continues to evolve as the NBA season heats up before the New Year. Players are making their cases for superstardom and elevating their teams while up-and-comers have continued improving.
This updated ranking for December 2024 reevaluates the top 25 players in the game, categorizing them into five distinct tiers based on their impact, consistency, and ability to dominate. Who has risen and fallen, and which stars are cementing their legacy this season? Let’s dive in.
Previous rankings: November 2024
Tier 1
Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic
Nikola Jokic continues to prove why he’s the best player in the NBA, averaging an unbelievable 32.3 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. His court vision and ability to dictate the pace of a game make him nearly impossible to stop, even for elite defenses. Jokic’s leadership has kept the Nuggets active in a strong Western Conference, and he is the frontrunner for his 4th MVP award with a triple-double average.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is right there with Jokic as an MVP favorite, averaging 30.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists this season. His ability to score from all three levels while defending at a high level makes him a two-way superstar. Under his leadership, the Thunder have become a major title contender as the first seed in the West and he has to be named a top-two player in the world right now.
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a force of nature, dominating games with his unmatched blend of power, speed, and skill despite a poor start to the season for the Bucks. Averaging 32.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, he’s the centerpiece of a Milwaukee Bucks team chasing another championship. The heavy load Giannis is carrying means he has to be in the MVP race regardless of team record.
Luka Doncic continues to be an offensive maestro, averaging 28.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.9 assists while carrying the Mavericks night after night. His playmaking brilliance and knack for hitting clutch shots have made him one of the most dangerous players in the league. Luka is likely going to push the Mavericks to another title-contending season.
Tier 2
Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, Donovan Mitchell, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama
Jayson Tatum has cemented himself as one of the most dominant forwards in the league, averaging 28.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists for the Celtics. His ability to score at all three levels and lock down defensively makes him indispensable for Boston’s success. With the Celtics holding the second seed in the East, Tatum continues to deliver in high-stakes moments.
Anthony Edwards has taken a massive leap this season, averaging 26.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while showcasing elite athleticism. He’s become the heart and soul of the Timberwolves in the absence of Karl-Anthony Towns and we have to respect his talent right now.
Donovan Mitchell is lighting up the court for the Cavaliers, averaging 23.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.4 rebounds while leading Cleveland to the best record in the Eastern Conference. His consistent excellence this season has solidified his superstar status without a doubt despite his dip in numbers.
When healthy, Anthony Davis continues to be one of the most dominant big men in the league, averaging 27.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks. His impact on both ends of the floor has been key to the Lakers‘ resurgence, particularly in clutch moments. Davis’s ability to anchor the defense while delivering offensively makes him a cornerstone of success for Los Angeles.
Even in Year 22, LeBron James is defying Father Time with averages of 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 9.1 assists, leading the Lakers on a strong playoff push. Despite his age, LeBron continues to dominate late in games, proving his unparalleled basketball IQ and versatility. As long as he’s on the court, his spot as a superstar remains unshakable.
Victor Wembanyama has wasted no time proving his worth in his second season, averaging 23.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.4 blocks per game while showing unmatched versatility for the Spurs. Wembanyama’s unique combination of size, skill, and defensive prowess has already made him a game-changer and somehow the Spurs have managed a 12-12 record.
Tier 3
Karl-Anthony Towns, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, Devin Booker, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant, Alperen Sengun, Trae Young
Karl-Anthony Towns is putting up 24.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, playing a crucial role in New York’s playoff push. His ability to stretch the floor as a big man remains unmatched, and he is proving the Knicks right about the blockbuster trade this summer with his efforts on both ends of the court.
Stephen Curry is not having his best season but we cannot deny what he can do at any time. He is averaging 22.8 points and 6.5 assists per game this season and the Warriors find themselves in a playoff spot mainly because of his leadership. We won’t knock Curry out of Tier 3 unless the Warriors start dropping games out of the ordinary over the next month.
Kyrie Irving is showcasing his offensive brilliance, averaging 24.0 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds while shooting efficiently from all over the floor. His partnership with Luka Doncic has kept the Mavericks competitive in a challenging Western Conference and if there is a big game to be played, you know Irving will answer the call.
Jaylen Brown is delivering a strong season for the Celtics, averaging 25.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while playing elite perimeter defense. His two-way impact has been crucial to Boston’s status as a top contender in the East. Though Jayson Tatum leads the team, Brown’s ability to shine on both ends makes him indispensable as the number two option.
Devin Booker continues to shine as one of the league’s premier scorers, averaging 24.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds for the Suns. His offensive versatility and leadership have kept Phoenix competitive although we expect a little more from the team in terms of team record.
Jalen Brunson is thriving as the Knicks’ leader, putting up 24.7 points, 7.8 assists, and 3.0 rebounds while orchestrating their offense. His poise and decision-making have elevated New York’s playoff hopes, making him an invaluable piece. Brunson hasn’t been as great as he was last season but he is still a superstar floor general.
Tyrese Maxey has stepped up as Philadelphia’s lead guard, averaging 24.3 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.6 rebounds with impressive efficiency. His speed and scoring ability have made him a nightmare for defenses, particularly in transition. The 76ers have had a horrific season with Joel Embiid and Paul George letting everyone down with their health issues, but Maxey has been the only bright light.
LaMelo Ball is finally delivering on his potential as a bonafide superstar, averaging 31.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds as the engine of the Hornets’ offense. His flashy passing and ability to create for teammates make him one of the most entertaining players in the league. His injuries have lowered his ranking because he belongs in a higher tier based on his play so far.
The returned Ja Morant has been spectacular on the court, averaging 21.7 points, 8.5 assists, and 4.4 rebounds for the Grizzlies. His explosive athleticism and fearless playstyle have made him one of the league’s most exciting players. The Grizzlies will also go as far as Morant takes them so they hope he can stay on the court for longer than last year.
Alperen Sengun is turning heads with his impressive play for the Rockets, averaging 18.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists while leading the team to the second seed in the West. His versatility as a big man, combining post moves with playmaking, has made him the focal point of Houston’s offense. Nobody saw this type of production coming from Sengun a few years ago and that is a testament to his hard work.
Trae Young continues to deliver for Atlanta, averaging 21.0 points, 12.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds while orchestrating their offense. Talks about his impending trade have died down because Young is delivering in the clutch time and time again this season.
Tier 4: All-Stars
Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox, Jimmy Butler, Jalen Williams
Damian Lillard continues to showcase his scoring prowess, averaging 25.8 points and 7.6 assists while leading his new team with veteran poise. Although a very poor start to the season by the Bucks have placed Dame under the radar, his ability to take over games remains unmatched.
De’Aaron Fox is still the driving force for the Kings with 26.4 points and 6.0 assists per game, spearheading their fast-paced offense. His clutch performances and leadership have made Sacramento a legitimate playoff threat if they can get their act together on both ends of the floor and fix their chemistry issues stemming from the DeMar DeRozan signing.
Jimmy Butler might be in trade rumors right now but he is still a top-25 player in the world in terms of defense, scoring, and leadership. He is up to his trolling ways again, but we still cannot discount his raw impact on the court. However, he is at risk of falling out of Tier 4 unless he can keep the Heat going with a better record.
Jalen Williams has been sensational yet again, averaging 21.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while helping OKC climb the standings as the best seed in the West. Williams’ versatility and two-way impact have made him a key piece in the Thunder’s promising season.
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