Top 10 NBA Players Right Now: The Best NBA Players

As the 2021-23 season comes to an end, we’ll sit down again to do some overviews of the upcoming season. One of the most anticipated lists is the best NBA players right now. They are key players who play an essential role in the current squad. Scott Fujita has compiled a list of the most potential basketball players today. Let’s read more to find out!

Top 10 NBA Players Right Now

The list of top 10 players in the NBA right now includes players from different positions and teams. We will analyze their strengths and statistics on their performance indicators in the previous season.

Related: Top 10 NBA players of all time

#10. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis 

Position: Power Forward, Center

2021-23 stats: 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.9 blocks, 53.3% FG, 29.3% 3FG.

Anthony Davis’ tenure, LeBron James best sidekick, with the Los Angeles Lakers is going extremely smoothly. During his first season with the team, he contributed a lot to the team winning the title.

Although injuries disrupted the overall power of this power forward, Davis still had an adequate performance at the offensive end. He can block everything in sight as the last line of defense.

Anthony Davis’s most remarkable traits are his quick pace, surety, and stamina that outshines the small forwards trying to envelop him. You can also find many of Davis’ beautiful moments through USA TODAY Sports.

#9. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard

Position: Point Guard.

2021-23 stats: 29.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 44.5% FG, 38.4% 3FG.

Damian Lillard is second only to Stephen Curry this season in terms of shooting ability from the deep area. At the age of 31, he lacks the opportunity to participate in the NBA Finals.

This season continues to be where this PG does its job very well. He’s second in terms of points scored in “clutch” from the ridiculous shooting line 63-58-100.

The final five minutes of a game with a scoreline within these five points can affect the overall outcome, and the Blazers are 14-5 in those situations.

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#8. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard 

Position: Small Forward, Shooting Guard.

2021-23 stats: 26.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 51.1% FG, 38.7% 3FG.

Number eight on the list of best current NBA players is Kawhi Leonard. This SF is a two-way tackler that can function as a top scorer for a championship team and continuously improves his play each year.

He was also the deciding factor in helping the Los Angeles Clippers reach the first Conference Finals in the playoffs in the last season. Unfortunately, injury in the ALC forced Leonard to give up the rest of the playoffs.

We still don’t know if we can see Kawhi Leonard again in the 2021-23 season. But if not, then it is an unfortunate absence.

#7. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid 

Position: Center.

2021-23 stats: 30.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 blocks, 52.1% FG, 41.6% 3FG.

Joel Embiid slowly shows that he will be an influential player in NBA history. After averaging 28.5 points per game during the regular season, this center dominates the playoffs.

He averaged 30.4 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in the 76ers’ seven-game streak with the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. It’s a pity they failed due to a meniscus injury in the first match.

This MVP leader is at the peak of his game, holding the midfield for the best team in the East. He is also highly diverse in the offensive game. If the 76ers aim for the NBA championship this season, they’ll need a healthy and top-notch Embiid.

#6. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic

Position: Point Guard, Small Forward.

2021-23 stats: 28.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 47.8% FG, 31.8% 3FG.

Three seasons have passed, and now Luka Doncic’s magic is no longer a surprise. This 22-year-old PG is gradually honing and developing his ability to navigate and control the game’s tempo brilliantly. His superb playoff performance almost got the Dallas Mavericks to the second round averaging 35.7 points, 10.3 assists, and 7.9 rebounds over seven games.

Doncic is still young, and he has many opportunities to develop in the future. The sky will be his limit if Luka can improve his free throw shooting and defense.

#5. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic 

Position: Center.

2021-23 stats: 27.1 points, 11 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 56.7% FG, 41.8% 3FG.

In the miraculous run of the Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals in the bubble, Nikola Jokic played a key role. This center is also gradually proving its power and influence to a straight season.

From clutch spikes to clutch shots to extended passes to teammates, Jokic’s coordination skills are truly astounding. He averaged a triple-double from the 50-40-90 shooting line.

While the Denver Nuggets’ performance hasn’t been stellar this season, it’s not Jokic’s fault either.

#4. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

Kevin Durant 

Position: Power Forward, Small Forward.

2021-23 stats: 29 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 52.4% FG, 43.4% 3FG.

Turning 33 years old, Kevin Durant is at the peak of his form. He averaged 34.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in the 2022 NBA playoffs. Durant’s free throw line shot rate was 87.1%.

Kevin Durant almost brought an injured Brooklyn Nets into the Eastern Conference Finals. His performance was outstanding, with 48 burst points in Game 7.

Although Kevin Durant had to miss the entire 2019-20 season and half of the 2021-23 season to detox and treat various illnesses, he returned to MVP parity. Again, we can see a player who won his third gold medal for Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics.

Durant is on his way to winning the NBA championship for this season.

#3. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry 

Position: Point Guard.

2021-23 stats: 29.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 47.8% FG, 41.1% 3FG.

Entering the 13th year of his career, Stephen Curry is still playing better than ever.

The all-time most excellent shooter took second place in the scoring title with an average of 32.0 points per game last season. He also comes in at number three on the MVP list as the Golden State Warriors are ready to advance into the playoffs.

The Golden State Warriors also added new talent through free agency and draft rounds. Another news is that Thompson will return to the lineup to support Curry. Other NBA teams will have to be quite careful here.

#2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James 

Position: Small Forward, Shooting Guard.

2021-23 stats: 25.8 points, 8 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 50.9% FG, 35.8% 3FG.

A face no stranger, it would be remiss if LeBron James were not on this list, even if this is his 19th season.

James was the MVP frontrunner last season before an ankle injury caused him and the Lakers to derail the tournament. Even so, he managed to lead LA past Golden State in the Play-In round before losing miserably to the Phoenix Suns in the opening round. It was also the first time LeBron James was eliminated from the first round.

LeBron is even vying for the top spot ahead of his unbelievable 19th season, and he has plenty of incentive to reclaim the throne. James is supposed to make some noise with an almost entirely new cast around him.

#1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo 

Position: Power Forward, Small Forward.

2021-23 stats: 29 points, 11.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 55.7% FG, 28.5% 3FG.

Giannis overcame Durant similarly to how his Milwaukee Bucks overcame the Nets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the past season. Two consecutive MVPs and the Best Defensive Player award on his resume for the past two seasons is enough to place him in 1st place.

After winning two MVPs, Giannis Antetokounmpo lifted himself with an NBA Finals MVP award last season. His dominance at both ends stems from his incredible 7 foot 3 wingspans. Greek Freak’s elite athleticism made him an unstoppable force in transitions and defensive end, and he’s now an NBA champion.

You can check out Giannis’ highlights here.

Final Thoughts

The past three seasons have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the players are still giving their best in every game. This list will probably be different for everyone as we all have our champions, and they are all well-deserved.

Hopefully, we will continue to see an explosion of top 10 faces and new faces in the upcoming season. Thank you for reading!