The NBA is always evolving, and every season, a new wave of talent pushes some star players away until they are forgotten. While some stars continue to dominate the court with remarkable consistency, others have begun to show cracks in their game due to injuries, age, or declining skills.
The 2025-26 season will be no different, as a handful of established names face the reality of slowing down while the next generation rises. As we get closer to NBA tipoff, here are seven NBA stars most likely to show signs of decline in 2025-26.
1. LeBron James
Reason For Decline: Age, Taking A Backseat To Luka
As he gets closer to 41 years old, LeBron James is entering a different phase for an aging superstar still playing heavy NBA minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers. While his basketball IQ and playmaking remain elite, the presence of Luka Doncic signals a clear transition of power. LeBron will be asked to take more of a secondary role, conserving energy for stretches instead of carrying the offensive load as he has done throughout his career.
His future beyond this season is already in question, and while he can still dominate in spurts, the days of him consistently dictating games are winding down. It is only natural for a player past 40 years old to show decline in a young man’s league, and even if James has defied logic with his production, we think 2025-26 will be the year he starts looking “old”.
2. Stephen Curry
Reason For Decline: Attrition
Stephen Curry’s brilliance has always been tied to his conditioning and relentless off-ball movement, but at nearly 38 years old, the mileage is catching up. With thousands of minutes logged across deep playoff runs, the wear and tear is inevitable, and we expect it to show in 2025-26.
Steve Kerr will likely manage his workload carefully, resting Curry more often to preserve him for meaningful stretches. That means fewer 30-point explosions on a nightly basis, and while his shooting will remain world-class, the heavy lifting for the Warriors won’t fall on his shoulders the way it once did. Perhaps that’s why Golden State will look to Jimmy Butler and whoever replaces Jontahan Kuminga to keep their title window open.
3. Joel Embiid
Reason For Decline: Inability To Stay Healthy
Joel Embiid’s biggest battle has never been talent, but availability due to never-ending health issues. After suiting up for only 19 games last season, his body continues to betray him, making it harder to trust his long-term durability.
As he approaches 32 years old, the odds of reversing that trend diminish, and each year brings added risk of another setback. Even when healthy, Embiid may not be able to dominate physically for as long as he once did, raising doubts about whether the 76ers can still count on him as their anchor. Embiid won’t get healthier as he gets older, so decline is inevitable.
4. Paul George
Reason For Decline: Age And Body Breakdown
Paul George’s decline is more about the toll his body has taken rather than skill obsolescence. Now nearing 36 years old, George is coming off his worst season statistically in a decade (since 2014-15) and managed to play just 41 games. No doubt, last season was ugly for George.
His history of injuries suggests that full durability is unlikely to return, and that availability alone could limit his impact. When healthy, he’s still an elite two-way threat, but expecting him to sustain that across an entire season may no longer be realistic. In fact, “Playoff P” might simply be relegated to “Podcast P” at this point.
5. Jalen Brunson
Reason For Decline: Lesser Offensive Role
Of all the players on this list, Jalen Brunson’s “decline” is more situational than physical. After thriving as the Knicks’ driving force under Tom Thibodeau, he now shifts to Mike Brown’s system, where minutes are likely to be distributed more evenly. He won’t be run to the ground as much as he was last season.
Instead of being asked to carry a heavy scoring burden, Brunson will assume more of a playmaking role, sacrificing his individual numbers for team balance. While his efficiency may hold steady, fans should expect a noticeable dip in his statistical production, but that could be to the benefit of the team.
6. DeMar DeRozan
Reason For Decline: Age
DeMar DeRozan has aged gracefully, evolving his mid-range game and remaining a steady scorer well into his 30s, but time eventually wins out. Entering the 2025-26 season at 36 years old, he’ll no longer be able to generate offense as effortlessly, particularly against quicker defenders.
Though he should still hover around the 20-point mark, his defensive limitations will become more apparent as his athleticism wanes. For Sacramento, that means DeRozan shifts from being a primary scoring threat to more of a reliable veteran presence, or potentially a last-ditch trade asset.
7. Cam Johnson
Reason For Decline: Moving Into Supplementary Role
After putting up a career-high scoring season in Brooklyn (18.8 PPG), Cam Johnson’s role is set to change dramatically with the Denver Nuggets. Surrounded by Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon, his responsibilities will shift from being a secondary creator to a complementary piece.
That means fewer touches, fewer shots, and a focus on spot-up shooting, transition play, and perimeter defense. While Johnson’s efficiency could improve, his counting stats will almost certainly take a step back, making last season’s numbers look like an outlier. That shouldn’t bother Johnson much if he is competing deep in the postseason for the first time since leaving Phoenix.
