Jokic Continues Historical Consistency in Denver

According to votes from media members, Jokic’s individual dominance remains firmly intact at age 31. Despite finishing as the runner-up for the NBA MVP award last season, the 2023 NBA champion has finished either first or second in MVP voting in each of the past six seasons. During the 2025–2026 campaign, the eight-time All-Star secured his second season averaging a triple-double. That feat places him alongside recently retired guard Russell Westbrook as the only players in league history to post triple-double averages across multiple seasons.

Yet questions linger regarding his perimeter shooting efficiency as a new season approaches. Jokic shot 44 percent from beyond the arc before suffering a left-knee bone bruise in late December that sidelined him for 16 games. Upon his return, his outside shooting dipped to 32 percent over the remainder of the season. Restoring that perimeter touch remains critical for the 2014 second-round draft pick as he looks to guide Denver back to championship contention following an opening-round postseason exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2026.

Off the court, his long-term future in Colorado remains a topic of regular discussion. Despite ongoing attention surrounding his contract status, Jokic addressed his future directly by stating, “Mon désir est de jouer le reste de ma vie à Denver,” expressing his clear intention to finish his career with the Nuggets.

Victor Wembanyama Ascends to Second After Historic Defensive Campaign

While Jokic anchors the top of the list, the most notable movement in ESPN’s rankings belongs to Victor Wembanyama. Rising from fifth place in the previous edition to second overall, the top pick of the 2023 NBA Draft enters his fourth season following a year that brought him the Defensive Player of the Year award, a selection to the All-First Team, and an appearance in the NBA Finals with the San Antonio Spurs.

Wembanyama made history by becoming the youngest Defensive Player of the Year ever and the first unanimous winner since the award’s inception in 1983. Alongside his league-leading shot-blocking metrics, ESPN highlighted his growth on the offensive end. The 22-year-old center reduced his volume of three-point attempts to focus on interior scoring, increasing his free-throw opportunities to 7.0 attempts per game in 2025–2026 compared to a career average of 5.8. That adjustment helped push his overall field-goal accuracy past the 50 percent threshold for the first time at 51.2 percent, fueling a career-best scoring average of 25.0 points per game.

Following a dominant postseason run that yielded a 12.9 net rating and a Western Conference Finals MVP award, Wembanyama and the Spurs face heightened expectations heading into the new season.

ESPN Top 10 Player Rankings Snapshot

The complete top ten compiled by the network illustrates a blend of established MVPs and rising talents leading the league:

• 1. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
• 2. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
• 3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• 4. Luka Doncic
• 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo
• 6. Jalen Brunson
• 7. Anthony Edwards
• 8. Cade Cunningham
• 9. Jayson Tatum
• 10. Donovan Mitchell