NBA’s top 30 players, ranked: Giannis, Steph Curry, Jokic, Embiid headline list entering postseason

Gilbert McGregor

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NBA’s top 30 players, ranked: Giannis, Steph Curry, Jokic, Embiid headline list entering postseason image

It's that time again.

Of course, the end of the NBA's regular season signals the beginning of the playoffs, but it also means The Sporting News is back with an updated edition of our NBA player rankings.

Our last player rankings came during the final days of December as the calendar year came to a close. A little over three months later, we're back with an updated edition of rankings based on the performance of the league's top talent throughout the 2022-23 season.

Like last time, these rankings are a collaborative effort from 13 members across The Sporting News' Global NBA staff. Each participant ranked their top 35 players in the league, with a sliding scale of points attached to each ranking. From there, the top 30 players were sorted in order of point total.

A season's worth of information provides plenty of room for change, allowing players like Jrue Holiday and Kawhi Leonard to make major leaps while Zion Williamson and Trae Young saw their rankings drop. And while there were plenty of risers and fallers, many of the top names remain the same.

With the voting process out of the way, it's time to get into The Sporting News' top 15 players at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. Click here to jump down to the entire list.

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15. Anthony Davis, Lakers

Anthony Davis 041223
(NBAE via Getty Images)

Previous rank: 11

Davis' ranking took a slight dip, but he turned in his most complete season since 2019-20 when he helped lead the Lakers to an NBA title. Over 56 games, LA's big man averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.0 blocks per game, all while shooting 56.3 percent from the field.

14. Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell Cleveland Cavaliers
(NBA Entertainment)

Previous rank: 14

Year 1 with the Cavs has been a resounding success for Mitchell, who, in addition to turning in a 71-point performance, turned in a career year from both scoring and efficiency standpoints. Most importantly, Mitchell helped lead Cleveland to its first non-LeBron James playoff appearance since 1998.

13. Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard 03252023
(NBA Getty Images)

Previous rank: 17

Statistically, Lillard turned in his best individual season in 2022-23, complete with a career-high scoring average of 32.2 points per game, a franchise-record 71-point performance, and the honor of becoming Portland's all-time leading scorer. Lillard is quickly climbing back toward the top 10.

12. Devin Booker, Suns

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Previous rank: 9

Had it not been for an extended midseason absence, Booker would have likely remained in our top 10 — and in MVP conversations. Booker continues to perfect his craft, mastering the midrange while sharpening his playmaking tools. A signature run this postseason could propel Booker into superstardom.

11. Ja Morant, Grizzlies

Ja Morant
(Getty Images)

Previous rank: 8

In addition to being the NBA's most electrifying player, the 23-year-old Morant is a burgeoning superstar. While leading Memphis to the West's 2 seed for a second consecutive year, Morant turned in averages of 26.2 points, a career-high 8.1 assists, and seemingly one unbelievable highlight per contest.

10. Jimmy Butler, Heat

Jimmy Butler 041223
(NBAE via Getty Images)

Previous rank: 12

Year in and year out, we've come to learn what to expect from Butler. He's one of the NBA's fiercest competitors capable of willing his team to a victory on any given night.

Miami had its struggles this season, but it was no fault of Butler, who is one of nine qualified players to average 20 or more points, five or more rebounds and five or more assists per game this season. He's also who you want to have the ball in high-pressure situations.

9. Kawhi Leonard, Clippers

Kawhi Leonard 041223
(NBAE via Getty Images)

Previous rank: 18

After missing the entirety of the 2021-22 season, it would be an uphill climb for Leonard to get back to his best form. After shaking off early season rust, he's done just that.

In 36 regular season games since the calendar flipped to 2023, Leonard is averaging 26.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 52.4 percent from the field, 46.3 percent from 3-point range, and 89.8 percent from the free throw line.

Yeah, Kawhi's back.

8. LeBron James, Lakers

LeBron James Lakers
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Previous rank: 10

At this point, LeBron landing in the top 10 is inevitable, much like his streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games. Since our last rankings were published, James has turned 38, become the NBA's all-time leading scorer, suffered — and come back from — a serious tendon injury in his right foot, and somehow is still at the top of his game.

NBA PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Can LeBron lead Lakers to upset of Grizzlies?

James closed his 20th NBA season with averages of 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. He still knows how to command a game and as his athleticism slowly tapers off in his later years, he's dominating with his strength, skill and basketball IQ.

7. Luka Doncic, Mavericks

Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks 020223
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Previous rank: 5

In what was a rough year for his Mavericks, Doncic still finished the year averaging 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game, all while playing through injuries and taking on an intense workload to help keep his team afloat.

With Dallas missing the postseason for the first time since Doncic's rookie year, there will be plenty of chatter surrounding his temperament and future with the franchise. Don't let that keep you from the fact that at 24, he's one of the best young players the game has ever seen, capable of doing things like this:

6. Jayson Tatum, Celtics

Jayson Tatum 041223
(NBAE via Getty Images)

Previous rank: 6

Tatum remains on the periphery of the top five but this season has been a reminder that he's on the cusp of bursting in.

At 25, Tatum just became the first player in Celtics history to average 30 points per game in a season. When thinking of the names that have suited up for the storied franchise, that's a pretty big deal.

Boston goes as Tatum goes, and after coming up two wins short of a title in 2022, the team's sole focus is hanging another banner in TD Garden. Being the lead man for the entirety of a Finals run is exactly what Tatum needs to make that top-five leap.

5. Joel Embiid, 76ers

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(NBAE via Getty Images)

Previous rank: 7

What a year it's been for Embiid.

He's arguably the most dominant big man in the league. He's the NBA's back-to-back scoring champion. And, by many accounts, he's in line to be named MVP for the first time in his career.

Embiid just wrapped up a season in which he averaged 33.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game to lead Philadelphia to 54 wins. The regular season was impressive, but now all eyes are on whether or not Embiid can lead Philadelphia on a run beyond the conference semifinals, which the franchise hasn't done since 2001.

4. Kevin Durant, Suns

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Previous rank: 4

Durant's game continues to age beautifully. He finished his 15th season on the floor with averages of 29.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game on .560/.404/.919 shooting splits.

No knee injury, midseason trade or ankle injury could slow down the brilliance of Durant, who led the Suns to an 8-0 record when he was on the floor.

Durant is one of five active NBA players that has been the best player on a championship team, and his presence immediately made Phoenix a title contender. A run to his third NBA title — and the first in Suns history — could propel Durant back to the top of this list, and boost him up in all-time conversations.

3. Stephen Curry, Warriors

Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors
(Getty Images)

Previous rank: 2

Injuries could have derailed Curry's season, but similar to years past, he proved to be too great to be held back by that.

Statistically, we could talk about how Curry's 29.4 points per game make for the third most of his career or how his 6.1 rebounds per game are a career-high… or how this was the third-most efficient season of his career.

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We could also talk about the Curry effect — his gravity that makes life easier for each one of his teammates on the offensive end and, in turn, allows the Warriors to be the Warriors.

Last year taught us that with Curry, you can never count out Golden State, even as a 6 seed with clear flaws. In the history of the game, there are very few players that have garnered that level of respect.

2. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets

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(NBAE via Getty Images)

Previous rank: 3

He may or may not miss out on winning a third consecutive MVP award, but Jokic still moves up in the rankings after falling just shy of averaging a triple-double from the center position.

With his play, Jokic propelled Denver to the West's top seed for the first time in franchise history and now the franchise is eyeing its first-ever NBA title.

Jokic's greatness can be measured by how much better he makes those around him. With his generational basketball IQ and playmaking ability, life is much easier for each of his teammates. On any given night, you're guaranteed to say "what a pass," ask "how did he do that?" or both.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks

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(NBAE via Getty Images)

Previous rank: 1

It might be getting lonely at the top for Antetokounmpo, who landed at No. 1 in our preseason ranking, midseason ranking, and postseason ranking.

At this point, it's nearly impossible to argue the fact that Giannis is the best basketball player in the world.

MORE: Why Giannis considered retirement after signing massive contract extension

Antetokounmpo has set the bar so high with his greatness that he almost quietly delivered the best season of his career, leading Milwaukee to the NBA's best record with averages of 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists on 55.3 percent shooting from the field. And he's done it all while firmly standing in the conversation as the best defender in the NBA as well.

This season is a reminder that it's going to take a lot to dethrone Antetokounmpo, who, at 28, is just in the beginning of his prime years. As he eyes his second NBA title, don't be surprised to see The Greek Freak continue to find ways to dominate and perfect his craft.

The Final List

Rank Player Team Previous Rank Trend
1 Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks 1 —
2 Nikola Jokic Nuggets 3 ↑1
3 Stephen Curry Warriors 2 ↓1
4 Kevin Durant Suns 4 —
5 Joel Embiid 76ers 7 ↑2
6 Jayson Tatum Celtics 6 —
7 Luka Doncic Mavericks 5 ↓2
8 LeBron James Lakers 10 ↑2
9 Kawhi Leonard Clippers 18 ↑9
10 Jimmy Butler Heat 12 ↑2
11 Ja Morant Grizzlies 8 ↓4
12 Devin Booker Suns 9 ↓3
T13 Damian Lillard Trail Blazers 17 ↑4
T13 Donovan Mitchell Cavaliers 14 —
15 Anthony Davis Lakers 11 ↓4
16 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Thunder 15 ↓1
17 Paul George Clippers 19 ↑2
18 James Harden 76ers 22 ↑4
19 Jaylen Brown Celtics 16 ↓3
20 Domantas Sabonis Kings — NR
21 Jrue Holiday Bucks 28 ↑6
22 Zion Williamson Pelicans 13 ↓9
23 De'Aaron Fox Kings — NR
24 Kyrie Irving Mavericks 26 ↑2
25 Bam Adebayo Heat 25 —
26 Tyrese Haliburton Pacers 23 ↓3
27 Pascal Siakam Raptors 20 ↓7
28 Trae Young Hawks 21 ↓7
29 DeMar DeRozan Bulls 24 ↓5
30 Anthony Edwards Timberwolves — NR

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.