The highest tier of NBA gamers is as elite because it has ever been, and whereas that is the quietest a part of the offseason, it’s by no means too early to get enthusiastic about subsequent season.
There are a ton of attention-grabbing subplots heading into subsequent season, however ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith not too long ago named who he believes are the 5 gamers to look at this season.
Throughout a current phase on First Take, Smith listed Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, and Kyrie Irving as the highest 5 gamers to look at.
.@stephenasmith shares his record of prime 5 gamers to look at this NBA season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/A7EY2sIg33
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 22, 2025
Smith went as far as to say that if Irving is wholesome and Davis brings his A-Sport, the Mavericks will win the NBA title.
It’s a serious proclamation contemplating the age and damage historical past the 2 of them carry to the desk, although if wholesome and with No. 1 choose Cooper Flagg alongside them, Dallas may do so much higher than it did final season.
It’s unclear when Irving will return, however a basic estimate would have him again someday across the All-Star break as he works his method again from an ACL tear.
Doncic has reportedly gotten in super form this summer season after being subtly fat-shamed by Mavs basic supervisor Nico Harrison following their blockbuster commerce, and it is going to be thrilling to see if he can take the subsequent step for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kevin Durant was acquired by the Houston Rockets because the potential lacking piece for his or her title aspirations, whereas Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors have a two-year window to capitalize on what could possibly be the final chapter of their getting older superstars’ careers.
Smith picked 5 stars from the West on this record, and it’s no shock, as a result of the Western Convention is slated to be an all-time battle in 2025-26.
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