Nikola Jokic outshines reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and others to become ESPN's #1 player before 2025-26 season starts
Nikola Jokic has managed to beat every other NBA player to grab the #1 spot in ESPN's latest player rankings before the upcoming season starts next month. He not only beat Los Angeles Lakers stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James, but also reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the highest paid NBA star this season, Stephen Curry . The Denver Nuggets star grabbee the top spot for the second straight season, outshining the rest of the league in the process.
Nikola Jokic is #1 - Again!
Nikola Jokić won three consecutive NBA MVP awards, for the 2020–21, 2021–22, and 2023–24 season. He also got ranked as the #1 player by ESPN for two consecutive seasons - the one before the beginning of the 2024–25 season, and the one before the upcoming 2025-26 season. He even managed to beat the reigning MVP of the season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, to take the top spot. He got 19 out of 20 votes, while Luka Doncic got 1; SGA unfortunately was at 0 for the #1 spot.
The Top 10 players were the last to be ranked. Where Jokic got the top-spot, SGA and Doncic managed to get #2 and #3. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama got the 4th and 5th rank, followed by Anthony Edwards in #6. Stephen Curry was ranked at #7 and LeBron James was a spot behind at #8. Next was the new Houston Rockets star, Kevin Durant at #9, and finally, Jalen Brunson rounded up the list at #10.
Denver Nuggets are not too worried about Nikola Jokic refusing to sign an extension this summer
Nikola Jokic decided not to sign a three-year, $212 million contract extension with the Denver Nuggets this offseason. He could be planning to change his base, but the Nuggets should not too worried, given he is still going to be with them for three more years at least, according to his current contract.
"Nobody in Denver batted an eye that I heard, privately or publicly, when Jokic said, 'You know what? It doesn't make sense for me financially to do it this summer. Let's revisit it next summer.'"
He could very well decide to sign the extension next year, or the year after, and is looking to see what they can offer him in exchange. The Serbian star averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game last season, and is expected to only take his game to the next level in the upcoming one.
Also Read: "Curry would not be the same...": Former Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen goes brutally honest about Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic hype
Nikola Jokic is #1 - Again!
Nikola Jokić won three consecutive NBA MVP awards, for the 2020–21, 2021–22, and 2023–24 season. He also got ranked as the #1 player by ESPN for two consecutive seasons - the one before the beginning of the 2024–25 season, and the one before the upcoming 2025-26 season. He even managed to beat the reigning MVP of the season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, to take the top spot. He got 19 out of 20 votes, while Luka Doncic got 1; SGA unfortunately was at 0 for the #1 spot.
The Top 10 players were the last to be ranked. Where Jokic got the top-spot, SGA and Doncic managed to get #2 and #3. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama got the 4th and 5th rank, followed by Anthony Edwards in #6. Stephen Curry was ranked at #7 and LeBron James was a spot behind at #8. Next was the new Houston Rockets star, Kevin Durant at #9, and finally, Jalen Brunson rounded up the list at #10.
Denver Nuggets are not too worried about Nikola Jokic refusing to sign an extension this summer
Nikola Jokic decided not to sign a three-year, $212 million contract extension with the Denver Nuggets this offseason. He could be planning to change his base, but the Nuggets should not too worried, given he is still going to be with them for three more years at least, according to his current contract.
"Nobody in Denver batted an eye that I heard, privately or publicly, when Jokic said, 'You know what? It doesn't make sense for me financially to do it this summer. Let's revisit it next summer.'"
He could very well decide to sign the extension next year, or the year after, and is looking to see what they can offer him in exchange. The Serbian star averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game last season, and is expected to only take his game to the next level in the upcoming one.
Also Read: "Curry would not be the same...": Former Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen goes brutally honest about Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic hype
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