As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches the All-Star break, the league’s elite talent is delivering a season to remember. After blockbuster trades and breakout campaigns, the NBA’s best players have reshuffled the pecking order. LeBron James, even at 40, continues to defy Father Time alongside Luka Doncic in Los Angeles, while Giannis Antetokounmpo continues wreaking havoc in Milwaukee.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry has reinvented himself yet again, pairing with Jimmy Butler to keep the Warriors relevant, and Nikola Jokic remains a one-man offensive system in Denver. But who’s truly at the top of their game as of February 2025?
We’ve categorized the 25 best players in the NBA into five tiers (adding one from last month) to highlight the absolute superstars, the MVP-level candidates, and the dominant forces breaking into the conversation.
Previous rankings: January 2025
Tier 1
Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nikola Jokic is rewriting the stat sheet yet again, averaging a ridiculous triple-double, posting 29.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game while shooting an impressive 57.7% from the field. His genius-level basketball IQ and ability to orchestrate Denver’s offense like a symphony have the Nuggets sitting comfortably as a top-four seed in the West. With a fourth MVP in sight, the Joker continues to set a standard that seems almost impossible to replicate.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may very well be the frontrunner for MVP this season, leading the top-seeded Thunder with stellar averages of 32.6 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. His effortless scoring and vastly improved defense have transformed Oklahoma City into a juggernaut, firmly in the championship conversation. While Jokic may be his closest competitor in the MVP race, SGA’s play for arguably the NBA’s best team gives him the edge.
We can’t deny Giannis Antetokounmpo in Tier 1 for another month, putting up 31.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per contest while spearheading the Milwaukee Bucks‘ defense. Even after a rocky start to the season for Milwaukee, Giannis’s two-way dominance has the Bucks clawing their way back into contention and there isn’t a better player who combines dominance on both ends.
Tier 2
Karl-Anthony Towns, Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, Anthony Edwards
Karl-Anthony Towns has been consistent for the Knicks, averaging 24.7 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from deep. His versatility as a big man, with the ability to stretch the floor and operate as a playmaker, has made him indispensable and a top-five MVP candidate when nobody would have predicted that this season.
Jayson Tatum has been the engine behind the Celtics’ title-favorite season, posting 27.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. With Boston perched atop the East as the No. 2 seed, Tatum has also made strides on defense, often guarding the opponent’s best player. The 26-year-old is in the midst of his prime and proving he’s a top-tier superstar capable of being the guy for a top-tier contender.
Donovan Mitchell has been a scoring machine for the Cavaliers as an All-Star starter, averaging 23.9 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. Cleveland’s defense might be the anchor of their success, but Mitchell’s offensive heroics have been the spark that keeps them in the championship conversation. With several high-scoring performances this season, Mitchell’s leadership alone puts him in Tier 2.
Anthony Edwards is blossoming into a full-fledged superstar, carrying the Timberwolves with his averages of 27.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. His mix of explosiveness, scoring finesse, and improved defensive effort has made him a leader for Minnesota and a nightmare matchup for opponents. At just 23 years old, Edwards continues to elevate his game, and we can’t deny the Timberwolves overcoming a slow start to the season en route to holding a solid 31-25 record in the West.
Tier 3
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Victor Wembanyama, Kevin Durant, Jalen Brunson, Domantas Sabonis
LeBron James, at 40 years old, is one of the best players in the world, putting up 24.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game. His leadership and playmaking have kept the Lakers competitive despite their challenges and he has a new running partner with Luka Doncic to try to make a run deep in the playoffs. His turnovers are quite high (3.8 TOV), but that isn’t enough to push him out of Tier 3.
Healthy for most of the season (and now out for a lengthy amount of time which could knock him off the tiered list completely next month), Anthony Davis is one of the league’s most dominant two-way players, averaging 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. We can’t deny Davis’ elite play for most of the season and he got off to a hot start for the Mavericks before injury ruined his season again.
Victor Wembanyama is making a defensive and offensive impact, averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.8 blocks per game. Wembanyama has transformed San Antonio’s future more than expected this season and is a top-10 player in the world when it comes to raw impact right now.
Kevin Durant has still got it, ladies and gentlemen, because he is averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 53.2% shooting from the field. His ability to score efficiently from anywhere on the court keeps the Suns competitive despite the team playing very poorly at times. In terms of raw impact, Durant is a Tier 3 star.
Jalen Brunson has been tremendous for the Knicks, averaging 26.1 points and 7.5 assists per game as the Knicks’ leader. His poise in late-game situations and elite shot creation have made him one of the NBA’s top guards right now. His clutch gene has also been evident and there aren’t many better point guards than him right now.
Domantas Sabonis is stuffing the stat sheet right now and has to be a top-10 MVP candidate because of that. The big man is dropping 20.4 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game on 60.0% from the field and 45.5% from three, elite numbers from an elite player. The Kings’ record isn’t great but Sabonis has been spectacular.
Tier 4
Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxey, Jaren Jackson Jr, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro
Devin Booker has been the steady offensive engine for the Suns, averaging 26.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game while shooting 45.3% from deep. Even as Phoenix has struggled to find its rhythm post-trade deadline, Booker remains their most reliable star behind Kevin Durant and we won’t allow his play to fly under the radar.
Cade Cunningham is showing why he was the No. 1 pick, averaging 25.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 9.4 assists this season for the Pistons as he made his first All-Star Team. He’s taken a massive leap as a playmaker, controlling the pace of games and thriving in pick-and-roll situations. While Detroit hasn’t fully turned the corner, Cade’s poise and basketball IQ make him the perfect leader for their young core.
Tyrese Maxey has been a breakout star for the Sixers, putting up 27.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game while carrying a poor 76ers team that does not have Joel Embiid and Paul George. With Joel Embiid and Paul George absent, Maxey’s rise has been one of the season’s most exciting storylines, but the Sixers’ inconsistency limits his impact on the league’s bigger picture.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is once again a defensive monster, averaging 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. His ability to dominate the paint and stretch the floor with his three-point shooting is a rare combination that few bigs can replicate. The big man has made his second All-Star selection this season because of his elite play and that has been great to see.
Evan Mobley has evolved into one of the league’s most impactful two-way players. Averaging 18.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, he’s a cornerstone for Cleveland’s elite defense. Mobley’s agility, timing, and IQ make him a nightmare on switches, while his soft touch around the rim makes him an underrated scorer. Mobley also made his well-deserved All-Star spot this season.
Darius Garland continues to thrive in his role as Cleveland’s floor general, averaging 21.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game as Cleveland’s third All-Star this season. With Donovan Mitchell as his backcourt mate, Garland has had to share the spotlight, but his impact on the Cavaliers’ offense is undeniable. At just 25, Garland’s future remains incredibly bright.
Tyler Herro is doing everything he can to keep Miami in the playoff mix, averaging 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in his first All-Star season. His shot creation and ability to hit contested threes have been crucial for a Heat team struggling with drama for most of the season. Herro is coming into his own and it has been great to see him carry the load despite the Jimmy Butler situation weighing on the franchise.
Tier 5
Trae Young, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, James Harden, Jalen Williams
Trae Young is having a great individual season, averaging 23.7 points and a league-best 11.5 assists per game. While his playmaking remains elite, his scoring efficiency has taken a nosedive, and Atlanta’s decision to pivot toward a rebuild hasn’t helped his case. With the Hawks trading key pieces, Young’s future with the franchise feels uncertain. Trae’s brilliance as a passer and scorer can’t be denied, but his defensive flaws and lack of team success put him firmly in Tier 5.
Stephen Curry might not be at his peak anymore, but he’s still a force, averaging 23.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game on 39.0% shooting from three. While injuries and Golden State’s aging roster have slowed him down, Curry’s off-ball movement and shot-making remain unmatched. However, the Warriors’ slight decline in the standings has shifted Steph out of the conversation for the league’s upper echelon, even if he’s still capable of taking over any given game.
Damian Lillard is still putting up major numbers, averaging 25.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game on 38.2% from three. At 34, Lillard is no longer the unstoppable offensive force he once was, but he remains a potent scorer and one of the most respected marksmen in the league. Some might argue Dame didn’t deserve the All-Star selection this season but we beg to differ.
James Harden has transitioned into more of an all-around offensive star for the Clippers but his impact has been undeniably great. He is averaging 21.3 points, 8.6 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. Harden’s days as an MVP candidate are behind him, but he’s proven he can still be a valuable contributor in the right system which is why he made the All-Star Team this year.
Jalen Williams finally got some love from NBA fans and media members by making his first All-Star selection, posting 21.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game on 47.9% shooting from the field. He has been SGA’s main sidekick for most of the season and deserves a spot among the NBA’s 25 best players.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
