Early 2023 NBA Player Rankings

A new champion, new MVP, and stars on the rise shape up for yet another interesting early player-rankings list .

10. Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns

Even though Phoneix is coming off a second straight disappointing early playoff exit, Devin Booker is coming off one of his best seasons in a year where he separated himself as the league’s top shooting guard. Booker also averaged the most points in the 2023 NBA Playoffs (excluding Kawhi Leonard, who played two games before injury). Another year with superstar Kevin Durant and the addition of Bradley Beal allows Booker to continue the offensive dominance on the court that he showed at several points in the 2022-23 season.

9. Anthony Davis - Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis is coming off his best season in purple and gold since 2019-20 when he helped LA win their first championship in a decade. His dominance and availability (which was in question after the past two seasons) helped them climb into the Western Conference Finals in a postseason where he led everyone in the league in rebounds averaging 14 a game. Seeing the Lakers making huge improvements after a disastrous 2021-22 season, the coaching of Darvin Ham, roster adjustments, and high-level play from AD can help set the Lakers up for another deep playoff run.

8. Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics did not return to the NBA Finals this year to redeem themselves from last year’s loss on the biggest stage, but it was still a season to remember for the team. Jayson Tatum had yet another memorable postseason run, scoring 51 points to eliminate NBA MVP Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers from the NBA Playoffs in Game Seven of the second round. On top of that, Tatum averaged 30 points and nearly nine rebounds in 2022-23, and there is no reason to believe the 2023 NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP won’t continue his elite play at age 25.

7. Luka DonCIC - DALLAS MAVERICKS

Unlike most postseason teams in the West, the Dallas Mavericks took a huge step back from the season prior, failing to reach the 2023 NBA Playoffs. However, Luka Dončić made his presence known to the whole league once again this year. The five-time All-Star made history with a 60-point-21rebound-10-assist game, joining James Harden as the only player in NBA history to record a 60-point triple-double. Still only 24 years old, Dončić continues to take the league by notice as one of its best players.

6. Kevin Durant - Phoenix Suns

Suns superstar Kevin Durant is coming off a postseason where he averaged 29 points and nearly nine rebounds. Durant’s primary reason for not being higher on this list is his lack of availability at times - this year he only appeared in eight regular season games for Phoenix after being traded from the Brooklyn Nets earlier in the year. KD’s absence throughout points of seasons has been apparent in the past few years. However, whenever the two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP is on the floor, his elite play reminds everyone why he is constantly in the conversation for best player in the world.

5. Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid is coming off a historic season and one of the best regular seasons by a big man in recent memory. The seven-foot reigning Kia NBA MVP looked like an absolute monster on both ends of the floor this season and, at times, flat-out unstoppable. Another disappointing postseason finish by both Embiid and the Sixers team is what holds him from a higher spot on this list. The regular-season dominance has yet to fully be displayed in the postseason, unlike several of Embiid’s fellow superstars in the league. However, at his best, he is a problem.

4. LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers

It’s remarkable to see LeBron James continue to play at a high level at age 38. The NBA’s new all-time leading scorer is coming off yet another impressive season, averaging nearly 30 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists per game. After a 2-10 start to the season, many feared that the Los Angeles Lakers would suffer a similar fate as last season and miss the playoffs. The play of superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis made them look like one of the NBA’s hottest duos again, and things clicked at the right time for the Lakers, eliminating the defending champion Golden State Warriors in the second round and advancing all the way to the Western Conference Finals. It’s remarkable how James is able to put up such numbers and be very effective for his team at such a late stage in his career, and for the first time in years, the Lakers are legitimate title contenders

3. Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors

At age 35, four-time NBA Champion Stephen Curry remains one of the NBA’s top superstars. While the 2022-23 season did not meet expectations for the Golden State Warriors, Curry continued his elite dominance on the court and averaged 29 points, six assists, and six rebounds. The NBA’s all-time three-point leader has shown the growth of his game on the defensive side of the ball as well, making him an even bigger problem for opponents than he already is. In a season that saw the Warriors struggle just one year after winning a championship, Curry’s heroics came to full display with a 50-point masterpiece in a Game Seven victory against the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the postseason (where Golden State trailed 2-0 to start). While questions about Golden State remain after a disappointing second-round playoff exit, the play of stars like Curry keeps them in title contention.

2. Giannis Antetekounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks

While Giannis Antetekounmpo’s injury may have played a role early in the Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round playoff loss to Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat, the 4-1 Miami victory was still shocking once the Greek Freak as many people had the Bucks winning the East and even the championship this past season. Still, the Antetekounmpo played well at the end of the series and is arguably the best player in the NBA. The seven-time All-Star had another dominant year under his belt, averaging 31 points, nearly 12 rebounds, and six assists. With the Bucks still one of the East’s top teams, Antetekounmpo is ready for another great season.

1. Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets

*via Aaron Ontiveroz/Denver Post/Getty Images*

It was a historic season for the 2023 NBA Finals MVP. Entering the season, Nikola Jokić was coming off back-to-back MVP seasons. However, injuries to the Denver Nuggets roster limited them from reaching their full potential during those years. The Joker’s historic playoff run saw him completely dominate in several categories, despite his unselfish attitude, and opponents had no answer for him as he bullied anyone in his way. The Phoenix Suns’ new superstar duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker were sent home by the two-time MVP. After that, Denver would sweep LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and a Lakers team that had turned their season around in the Western Conference Finals before taking care of the Miami Heat in five games. Jokić finished second in MVP voting this year, and many believe he should have won the award for the third straight year. After capturing his first championship and earning NBA Finals MVP honors, Jokić gets the top spot on this list.