Welcome, Victor Wembanyama, to USA TODAY Sports’ list of the top 30 NBA players. Tough to see you drop off the list Trae Young.
Hello Tyrese Maxey and Zion Williamson. Goodbye James Harden and DeMar DeRozan.
Yes, there are changes to this year’s edition of the top 30 players. But some things are the same, such as the dominance of international players at the top.
The first five in USA TODAY Sports’ top 30 NBA players were born outside the U.S. Last season, the top three were international players, and the season before that, four of the top six, including the top two, were not born in the U.S.
That trend doesn’t appear to be a blip. Wembanyama has made a rapid ascent and three of the top six picks in the 2024 draft, including Nos. 1-2, were born in France. The number of NBA international players continues to increase.
Our list of the top 30 players continues Wednesday Nos. 15-1. You can see who is ranked Nos. 30-16 here. USA TODAY Sports and USA TODAY Network reporters voted:
15. Boston Celtics guard-forward Jaylen Brown
2023-24 stats: 23.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.2 spg, 49.9% FG, 35.4% 3PT, 70.3% FT (70 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Jaylen Brown was an All-Star for the third time and just missed out on a second All-NBA selection last season. Brown, who shot a career-high from the field, starred for the Celtics in the playoffs, winning the Eastern Conference finals MVP and Finals MVP awards and helping them win their first championship since 2008.
Last season’s ranking: No. 16
14. Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard
2023-24 stats: 23.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.6 spg, 52.5% FG, 41.7% 3PT, 88.5% FT (68 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Kawhi Leonard made All-NBA and was named an All-Star in a season in which he played 68 games – the most he has played in a season since appearing in 74 games in 2016-17. He posted great offensive stats with career highs in shooting percentage and true shooting percentage (.626) – a combination of field goal, 3-point and free throw shooting percentage – and while not the defender he once was (a two-time Defensive Player of the Year), he still is among the league’s top defenders.
Last season’s ranking: No. 14
13. Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker
2023-24 stats: 27.1 ppg, 6.9 apg, 4.5 rpg, 49.2% FG, 36.4% 3PT, 88.6% FT (68 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Devin Booker assembled one of his best all-around seasons and returned to All-Star and All-NBA status after missing out on both the previous season. He had a career-high 6.9 assists and his true shooting percentage was the second-best of his career.
Last season’s ranking: No. 9
12. New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson
2023-24 stats: 28.7 ppg, 6.7 apg, 3.6 rpg, 47.9% FG, 40.1% 3PT, 84.7% FT (77 games)
Why he’s ranked here: In the past four seasons, Jalen Brunson has elevated from sixth man with Dallas to starter for the Mavericks to MVP candidate with New York. Brunson made his first All-Star and All-NBA teams in 2023-24.
Last season’s ranking: No. 25
11. Los Angeles Lakers forward-center Anthony Davis
2023-24 stats: 24.7 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 2.3 bpg, 1.2 spg, 55.6% FG, 27.1% 3PT, 81.6% FT (76 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Another one of the NBA’s great two-way players and most versatile bigs, Anthony Davis, who played in a career-high 76 games, returned to All-NBA, All-Defense and All-Star for the first time since 2019-20. He had the second-best shooting percentage of his career and a career-high 12.6 rebounds last season.
Last season’s ranking: No. 13
10. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards
2023-24 stats: 25.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.3 spg, 46.1% FG, 35.7% 3PT, 83.6% FT (79 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Anthony Edwards finished seventh in MVP voting, earned his second consecutive All-Star appearance and his first All-NBA selection after posting career bests in points and assists per game and in field-goal percentage and free throw percentage. He is the Timberwolves’ franchise player and one of the young faces of the league.
Last season’s ranking: No. 20
9. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant
2023-24 stats: 27.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.2 bpg, 52.3% FG, 41.3% 3PT, 85.6% FT (75 games)
Why he’s ranked here: After missing out on All-NBA in 2022-23 because he played in just 47 games, Kevin Durant returned to All-NBA in 2023-24. Durant is one of the game’s all-time great scorers and showed that again, finishing fifth in scoring at 35 years old. As long as he’s healthy this season, he will become just the eighth player to reach 30,000 points.
Last season’s ranking: No. 8
8. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
2023-24 stats: 25.7 ppg, 8.3 apg, 7.3 rpg, 1.3 spg, 54% FG, 41% 3PT, 75% FT (71 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Playing remarkable basketball at 39 going on 40, LeBron James continues to defy what was thought possible for an NBA player his age. He had one of the best shooting seasons of his career and was All-NBA for the 20th consecutive time, extending his league record.
Last season’s ranking: No. 7
7. Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry
2023-24 stats: 26.4 ppg, 5.1 apg, 4.5 rpg, 45% FG, 40.8% 3PT, 92.2% FT (74 games)
Why he’s ranked here: One of the best ever, Steph Curry is the rare player who transformed the game and he did it with his remarkable 3-point shooting. He made 4.8 3s per game and shot better than 40% from 3 for the 13th time of his career, earning his 10th All-NBA and 10th All-Star selection. He also won Clutch Player of the Year. His performances in the semifinals and gold-medal game at the Paris Olympics were the exclamation point on a great year.
Last season’s ranking: No. 5
6. Boston Celtics forward-guard Jayson Tatum
2023-24 stats: 26.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.0 spg, 47.1% FG, 37.6% 3PT, 83.3% FT (74 games)
Why he’s ranked here: An All-NBA selection in four of his past five seasons, including first team the past three seasons, Jayson Tatum is just 26 and should get better. His offensive efficiency is elite, and he has a great feel for the game – and is committed to both ends of the court.
Last season’s ranking: No. 4
5. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid
2023-24 stats: 34.7 ppg, 11 rpg, 5.6 apg, 1.7 bpg, 1.2 spg, 52.9% FG, 38.8% 3PT, 88.3% FT (39 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Before another injury shortened Joel Embiid’s 2023-24 season, he was in the running for his second MVP. When healthy, there’s not a two-way big man who dominates the way Embiid does.
Last season’s ranking: No. 3
4. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2023-24 stats: 30.1 ppg, 6.2 apg, 5.5 rpg, 2.0 spg, 53.5% FG, 35.3% 3PT, 87.4% FT (75 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander followed his breakout 2022-23 season with an MVP-caliber 2023-24. He finished second in MVP and third in Clutch Player of the Year voting and was named first-team All-NBA and an All-Star for the second consecutive season. It was his second consecutive season averaging at least 30 points and he shot a career-high 53.5% from the field.
Last season’s ranking: No. 10
3. Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic
2023-24 stats: 33.9 ppg, 9.8 apg, 9.2 rpg, 1.4 spg, 48.7% FG, 38.2% 3PT, 78.6% FT (70 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Luka Doncic led the Mavericks to the Western Conference title and generated career highs in points, assists and made 3s per game. He also registered a career-best 3-point shooting percentage. The All-NBA star is moving closer to winning his first MVP.
Last season’s ranking: No. 6
2. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo
2023-24 stats: 30.4 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.1 bpg, 61.1% FG, 27.4% 3PT, 65.7% FT (73 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, had another MVP-like performance, making All-NBA for the eighth consecutive season. He shot better than 60% from the field for the first time in his career and posted a career-high in assists.
Last season’s ranking: No. 2
1. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic
2023-24 stats: 26.4 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 9.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 58.3% FG, 35.9% 3PT, 81.6% FT (79 games)
Why he’s ranked here: Nikola Jokic collected his third MVP in four seasons, joining a short list of players with three or more MVPs. His offensive skillset and basketball IQ are among the best who have played. He was named an All-Star and All-NBA for the sixth consecutive season.
Last season’s ranking: No. 1
Editor’s note: USA TODAY reporters Jeff Zillgitt, Scooby Axson and Lorenzo Reyes, and USA TODAY Network reporters Jim Owczarski and Dustin Dopirak voted for this year’s top 30. They ranked players from first to 30th, with 30 points for first, 29 for second through to one for 30th.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
