2024-25 Best NBA Players Ranked From 20 to 1

NBA stars across various draft classes over the past couple of decades are currently helping their teams boast high basketball odds to win a championship at the BetMGM online sportsbook.

Some of them will have high NBA odds of winning an MVP award for many years to come.

Let’s take a look at the 20 best players currently in the league. 

2024-25 Best NBA Players, Ranked 

Best NBA Players of the 2024-25 Season

20. Victor Wembanyama — San Antonio Spurs

Victor Wembanyama finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in just his rookie season and is already an elite all-around scorer.

Victor Wembanyama becomes the first player in NBA history to record 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists, 5+ blocks, and 5+ 3PM in a game 📈

🔥 28 PTS
🔥 13 REB
🔥 7 AST
🔥 5 BLK
🔥 5 3PM
🔥 W pic.twitter.com/xNKwwOpNmS

— NBA (@NBA) March 1, 2024

The sky’s the limit for the 20-year-old, and he is well on his way to top five status in the league.

19. Tyrese Haliburton — Indiana Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers to the Western Conference finals and the league in assists.

He has a chance to be special if he can avoid injuries and major shooting slumps moving forward.

18. Domantas Sabonis — Sacramento Kings

Domantas Sabonis led the league in triple-doubles, as he’s an absolute load to handle inside and an elite passer, whether it’s on the dribble handoff or feeding cutters to the rim.

17. Kawhi Leonard — Los Angeles Clippers

Health has been a concern in recent seasons, but when he’s healthy, Kawhi Leonard is still one of the best two-way players in the league.

16. Jaylen Brown — Boston Celtics

Jaylen Brown earned Finals MVP after taking over as the primary scorer while providing tremendous on-ball and perimeter defence for the Boston Celtics in their series win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Jaylen Brown is a proven scorer when he puts the ball on the floor 🔥…

JB and the Celtics are ONE WIN away from being crowned champs, don’t miss Game 4 Friday at 8:30pm/et on ABC 🏆 pic.twitter.com/HTHG6wIMFc

— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2024

15. Donovan Mitchell — Cleveland Cavaliers

Equipped with elite dunking and 3-point shooting skills, Donovan Mitchell is an electric scorer, as he averaged nearly 30 points per game in the playoffs last season.

14. Kyrie Irving — Dallas Mavericks

Kyrie Irving has found new life in Dallas after helping the Mavericks get to the Finals in his first full season with the club while showcasing his filthy ball-handling skills and layup package.

13. Stephen Curry — Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry has helped an aging Golden State Warriors team stay in the playoff picture while still shooting the 3-point ball at a clip close to his peak.

STEPHEN CURRY GIVES THE WARRIORS THE 113-112 LEAD IN THE 4Q WITH .7 SECONDS LEFT ON THE CLOCK 😱

Suns-Warriors | LIVE on ABC pic.twitter.com/WfxMXpvOUm

— NBA (@NBA) February 11, 2024

The Chef is still good enough to be a top cook on a well-built championship-contending team.

12. Devin Booker — Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker is one of the game’s best pure scorers with his ability to create in the midrange and scoring opportunities with his off-ball movement. 

DBook also averaged 1.4 more assists last season than the season before while keeping his turnovers in check.

11. Anthony Davis — Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis is a force inside as a threat to blow past defenders and power his way to the rim.

Davis is also a menace defensively since he can guard multiple positions on the perimeter and inside the paint while swatting away shots.

10. Jayson Tatum — Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum is a solid three-level scorer who’s turned into a versatile defender, improved playmaker, and rebounder.

He could definitely rise up this list if he can find just a little more consistency scoring the ball, especially in the playoffs.

9. Jalen Brunson — New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson has become one of the best scorers in the league by backing down bigger defenders and being crafty in the midrange and near the hoop.

He averaged 32.4 points on 44.4% shooting in last season’s playoffs, proving the bright lights don’t faze him.

The championship blueprint in New York is there with the addition of Mikal Bridges, but the Knicks will likely need a season for the former Nova teammates to all gel and to make another move or two for those dreams to be realized.

8. Kevin Durant — Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant is still the most reliable and efficient bucket-getter in the league and remains one of the best defenders in the league with his wingspan and ability to slide his feet. 

KD is the most adaptable player in the league, and he can still elevate whichever team he’s on to instant championship contention.

7. LeBron James — Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James is still killing it on the cusp of his 40th birthday, showcasing tremendous power and athleticism, especially in transition.

LEBRON JAMES EXPLODES TO THE RIM FOR THE POSTER 😱

Lakers-Clippers | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/QsuL5TGo2x pic.twitter.com/k2q3AevouQ

— NBA (@NBA) January 8, 2024

James’ strong understanding of the game has helped him age gracefully, given his abilities to pick his spots, exploit certain mismatches, and make the most difficult passes look easy.

6. Joel Embiid — Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid played just 39 games last season, but he’s still a perennial MVP candidate when healthy.

Embiid is a dominant low-post scorer who can also take defenders off the dribble and hit midrange and 3-point shots. He’s also a dominant rim protector and solid on-ball defender.

With Tyrese Maxey expected to take another leap next season and the addition of Paul George, the Philadelphia 76ers loom as a threat to get to the Finals if Embiid can stay healthy.

5. Anthony Edwards — Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards helped the Minnesota Timberwolves reach the Western Conference finals last season.

Edwards is a threat to get downhill and throw down some powerful dunks and is an elite on-ball defender. An MVP could be in his future if he can improve his playmaking and become a little more efficient as a scorer.

ANT OFF THE BACKBOARD TO HIMSELF 😳

Grizzlies-Timberwolves | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/WfRqD4SlUz

— NBA (@NBA) January 19, 2024

With the addition of Rob Dillingham to a core of Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, Mike Conley, and Naz Reid, the Wolves have a shot of getting to the Finals if Ant-Man and KAT can avoid burnout late in the playoffs again. 

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo — Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo became the first player to average at least 30 points per game and 60% shooting in a game last season.

Antetokounmpo is one of the most deadly finishers at the rim and he has a Euro-step to go to shake off anybody in his way.

Another season of Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, alongside a core of Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis, could bring the Milwaukee Bucks back to the Finals if all stay healthy.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best scorers in the midrange and at the rim, as he can pick his spots and switch speeds with ease, coupled with his otherworldly footwork.

Gilgeous-Alexander is also a premier on-ball defender, setting him up as one of the best two-way players in the league.

With SGA, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams all expected to improve their games next season, coupled with the additions of Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, the Oklahoma City Thunder are a serious threat to win it all next season, especially with their strong defensive unit.

2. Luka Dončić — Dallas Mavericks

Luka Dončić has a killer stepback 3-point jumper and ball fakes that mesmerize defenders on drives to the rim.

Spin into a step-back 3? 😳

A little Luka magic!

📺 Lakers-Mavs | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/awAx8ttb2U

— NBA (@NBA) December 13, 2023

He’s also an elite playmaker on the pick-and-roll and is a safe bet to throw a flashy no-look pass here and there.

Dončić went through some growing pains in the Finals, but he proved he has all the intangibles to win games at the highest level.

With Dončić and Irving’s strong chemistry, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford getting a training camp in with their new team, the rise of Dereck Lively II, and the additions of Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes, and familiar face Spencer Dinwiddie, the Mavs could find themselves right back in the Finals next season. 

1. Nikola Jokić — Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokić won his third MVP in four seasons last season. He is by far the most dominant low-post scorer and midrange shooter in the league today.

His playmaking skills for a center are also extremely rare, as he can squeeze the ball through tight windows, launch the ball downcourt like a quarterback, and thread no-look, behind-the-back passes.

JOKIC FULLCOURT FOOTBALL PASS ON A DIME 🎯

Spurs-Nuggets | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/Njf3dISUNy pic.twitter.com/9XXL9T52G1

— NBA (@NBA) April 3, 2024

The Joker may be the triple-double king by the time he’s ready to call it a career.